By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
In a brutal attack in south west Pakistan, at least 22 people were killed after being forcibly removed from their vehicles and identified by gunmen, officials reported. The tragic incident took place overnight on a highway in Balochistan province, an area plagued by ongoing sectarian, ethnic, and separatist violence. The gunmen, alleged to be members of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), specifically targeted individuals from Punjab, shooting them before setting their vehicles on fire.
A Devastating Attack on Civilians
The attack occurred in the Musa Khel district, where the armed militants reportedly stopped 22 vehicles traveling along the highway. According to senior local official Najibullah Kakar, the attackers inspected the identity documents of passengers, singling out those from Punjab and executing them on the spot. The BLA, a militant group fighting for Baloch independence, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they were targeting military personnel disguised in civilian clothing. Before the assault, the BLA had warned the Baloch public to avoid the highway, declaring their fight was against the "occupying Pakistani military." The group also claimed to have seized control of all major highways across Balochistan.
Balochistan: A Region in Turmoil
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest yet least developed province, has been the epicenter of violent separatist movements for years. The region, rich in resources but mired in poverty, has seen a surge in attacks by Baloch separatists, including the BLA, who accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting its resources without benefiting the local population. The BLA has increasingly targeted Punjabis and Sindhis from other parts of Pakistan, as well as foreign energy companies operating in the region. This recent attack mirrors a similar incident in April, where nine passengers were forcibly removed from a bus in Balochistan and executed after their identities were checked.
In response to the latest violence, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that security forces had killed 12 militants in subsequent operations, though details were scarce. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and condemned the "terrorist attack," which he described as a calculated attempt to sow chaos in the country. The international community, including the UK and US, has designated the BLA as a global terrorist organization, underscoring the growing concern over the escalating violence in the region.
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