Gunmen Open Fire on Workers in Mashkail Market
Five workers from Punjab were shot dead by unidentified armed men in Mashkail, a border town in Balochistan’s Washuk district, on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Washuk Deputy Commissioner Abdul Majeed Sarparah said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on shops where the workers were employed. Mashkail is located close to Pakistan’s border with Iran.
The victims suffered several gunshot wounds and died at the scene, according to police officials. The attackers escaped before security personnel reached the area.
Police and other law enforcement teams arrived shortly after receiving information about the shooting. The bodies were taken to a government health facility in Mashkail for examination and legal procedures.
Officials said arrangements would be made to send the bodies to the victims’ hometowns in Punjab after the required formalities were completed. The identities and home districts of the workers were not immediately released.
No group had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of the initial official statement. Authorities also did not immediately disclose a possible motive.
Security Forces Launch Search for Attackers
Security forces and law enforcement agencies launched a search operation across the surrounding area. Officials said teams were working to identify and arrest those responsible for the killings.
The attack occurred during a period of heightened security operations across Balochistan. Operation Shaban and other counterterrorism actions have continued in different parts of the province since early July.
Pakistani authorities reported that 109 suspected militants had been killed in provincial security operations since July 5. Operation Shaban began after a deadly assault on a police facility near Mangi Dam in Ziarat district.
The latest shooting has added to security concerns in remote border districts. These areas contain difficult terrain and long routes between towns, creating major challenges for policing and emergency responses.
Balochistan has faced a wider wave of violence against police, military personnel and civilians. Pakistan’s military reported that 42 police and army personnel were killed in three attacks between July 6 and July 8.
Previous Attacks Have Targeted Punjab Residents
The Mashkail killings follow several attacks on workers and travellers from Punjab in Balochistan.
Four workers from Punjab were killed in Kalat district in March 2025. In February 2025, gunmen stopped a passenger bus in Barkhan and killed seven people travelling towards Punjab.
Seven barbers from Punjab were shot dead near Gwadar in May 2024. In August of the same year, attackers stopped trucks and buses in Musakhail district before killing 23 passengers.
Another attack occurred in Panjgur in September 2024. Armed men entered an under-construction house and killed seven workers from Multan.
These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of labourers who travel to Balochistan for construction, trade and other employment opportunities. Many workers live far from their families and remain dependent on local employers for accommodation and security.
Authorities have repeatedly promised stronger action against armed groups and improved protection for civilians. However, the latest killings underline the continued risks faced by migrant workers in several parts of the province.
