Unidentified gunmen killed seven labourers and wounded two others in their residence in Balochistan’s Panjgur district on Saturday night, police sources reported. The province is grappling with a surge in terrorism.
The victims have been identified as Sajid, Shafeeq, Fiaz, Iftikhar, Salman, Khalid, and Allah Wasaya. The incident occurred in the Khubadadan area of Panjgur, and initial reports indicate that the deceased were from various parts of Punjab. They had been working on a construction project in the area.
This attack mirrors a similar incident in May when assailants targeted a house in Gwadar’s Surbandar area, killing seven labourers in the early hours.
According to sources, the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is suspected to be behind this latest attack. The attackers have “no religious or moral affiliations, targeting defenseless labourers who migrate for work,” they said.
The tragic event underscores the persistent security challenges in the region, intensifying calls for enhanced measures to protect workers and local residents.
This massacre follows the horrific shooting of 23 passengers at a checkpoint in Musakhel on August 26, when they were pulled from vehicles and shot. Another brutal attack occurred in April when terrorists intercepted a bus from Quetta, forcing nine passengers off and executing them.
At a press conference on September 5, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry discussed the foreign involvement in such terror attacks, condemning the “barbaric and inhuman perpetrators” as having no link to Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan’s culture.
Reactions:
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed sorrow over the killings. In a statement, he said, “Those responsible for this atrocity deserve no mercy.” Naqvi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of his support. He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the killings, calling the act “deeply reprehensible.” He lamented the continued shedding of innocent blood, asserting that the terrorists will face justice both in this world and the next. “Once again, poor labourers in Balochistan have been targeted,” Bugti remarked, vowing to bring the attackers to justice.
This is an evolving story, and as more information emerges, efforts will be made to ensure accurate reporting.
