MASTUNG — Armed men opened fire on a passenger vehicle near the Khad Kocha area of Mastung on Tuesday, killing a woman who was traveling to Karachi for medical treatment.
The car was intercepted by unidentified assailants on the National Highway. Police officials confirmed the victim died at the scene, while two other passengers sustained gunshot wounds. The injured were moved to a local medical facility in Mastung before being shifted to Quetta for specialized care.
Initial reports from the Levies force suggest the attack appeared to be a targeted strike, though the motive remains unclear. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault.
The highway — a critical artery connecting Balochistan to the rest of the country — has seen a spike in violent incidents over recent months. Travelers often face risks from both criminal elements and separatist insurgents operating in the region.
“We are currently securing the area and collecting forensic evidence,” a Levies spokesperson told local media. “The priority is identifying the attackers and ensuring the remaining passengers are moved to safety.”
The incident has sparked fresh outrage among local residents, who have long demanded increased security presence on the Quetta-Karachi route. As of Tuesday evening, the highway remained open, but traffic flow was restricted while law enforcement conducted a sweep of the surrounding hills.
For now, the victim’s body has been handed over to her family, and an investigation into the motive behind the ambush continues.
