QUETTA – At least nine passengers were abducted and brutally killed by unidentified gunmen near Zhob in northern Balochistan, after they intercepted a passenger bus en route from Quetta to Lahore, provincial officials confirmed Friday.
According to authorities, the attackers stopped the bus, forcibly removed selected individuals, and executed them after confirming their identities.
Zhob Assistant Commissioner Naveed Alam stated that the bodies were transported to Rekhni Hospital in Barkhan district.
Provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the incident, terming it a clear act of terrorism.
“The terrorists pulled passengers from the bus, identified them, and mercilessly killed nine innocent Pakistanis,” Rind said.
“This heinous crime is a reflection of the brutality of the so-called Fitna al-Hindustan.”
Swift Security Response and Active Search Operation
Rind confirmed that security forces responded immediately to the incident. The assailants fled under cover of darkness, but a search operation is actively underway to apprehend them.
Indian-Backed Proxies Accused
Speaking to Geo News, Shahid Rind claimed the attack was not isolated, but part of a broader pattern involving Indian-backed militant networks like Fitna al-Hindustan.
He added that coordinated attacks were also attempted in Mastung, Kalat, and Saradagai earlier in the day. However, all those attacks were successfully repelled by security forces.
Rind revealed that the government had already implemented a comprehensive set of security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for passenger buses and had restricted overnight travel along the N-70 route.
Despite following all protocols, a bus traveling at dusk along the N-70 highway became the target of this attack. He acknowledged that the government is investigating possible security lapses to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
He also mentioned that although Kalat and Mastung were under high alert and passenger trains had been suspended, there had been no prior threat alert issued for the Zhob area.
Wider Threat Across the Province
The spokesperson also confirmed attempted attacks in Quetta, Kalat, Mastung, and Loralai.
He said that security forces responded swiftly at all locations and remain on high alert to safeguard lives and national assets amid ongoing threats.
Reports have also emerged of passengers being abducted near Loralai, and a search operation has been launched to rescue them safely.
Indian-Sponsored Militancy Surging in Balochistan
Indian-sponsored militant activity has seen an uptick in Balochistan, especially after India’s recent military defeat. Pakistan’s top military leadership has vowed decisive action against these proxy networks at every level.
Terrorism Trends: PICSS Report
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the month of May witnessed a slight increase in terrorist attacks.
There were 85 attacks in May, a 5% rise from April’s 81 incidents. These attacks resulted in 113 deaths, including:
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52 security personnel
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46 civilians
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11 militants
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4 peace committee members
Another 182 people were injured, including 130 civilians and 47 security officials.
While the increase in attacks was marginal, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the most affected provinces, accounting for 82 of the 85 incidents.
Balochistan alone witnessed:
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35 attacks
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51 fatalities (30 civilians, 18 security personnel, 3 militants)
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100 injuries (94 civilians, 5 security personnel, 1 militant)
