Massacre in Musakhail: 23 passengers offloaded, shot dead in Balochistan

• Militants used cover of darkness to carry out attack: Shahid Rind.
• Important decisions expected in meeting summoned by CM.
• President Zardari, and PM Shehbaz vow retribution over killings.
  

QUETTA: At least 23 passengers travelling to their destinations were killed after being offloaded from buses and trucks in the Rarasham area of Balochistan's Musakhail, police told Geo News on Monday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ayub Achakzai provided details of the incident, stating that armed men had blocked the inter-provincial highway to carry out the massacre. 

Police and Levies forces quickly reached the site to repel the attack, while rescuers transported the deceased and injured to the hospital, he added.

Speaking on Geo News programme "Geo Pakistan," Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind revealed that militants launched a coordinated assault on multiple (two to three) fronts but were met with fierce resistance from security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

However, he added that the terrorists used the cover of darkness to carry out the Musakhail attack, during which they dragged the passengers down from the buses and shot them after identity check.

Underscoring the provincial government's resolve to tackle the law and order situation, Rind said that Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti had called a meeting where "important decisions" would be made.

“To find a way out of this situation, a holistic approach is required from the political government and security forces, with support from all schools of thought,” he said.

The Musakhail incident highlights the ongoing security challenges Balochistan faces.

Pakistan has witnessed a spike in terrorism-related incidents since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Most terror activities are reported in provinces bordering the neighbouring country — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) report, during the second quarter of the current year, the country witnessed 380 violence-linked fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws.

The report stated that these casualties resulted from as many as 240 incidents involving terror attacks and counter-terrorism operations.

Owing to the security situation, the federal cabinet in June this year approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a reinvigorated national counter-terrorism campaign following the Central Apex Committee's recommendations under the National Action Plan to root out terrorism.

President, PM vow retribution

Condemning the heinous incident, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives and termed the perpetrators as “enemies of the nation”.

The president also said the terrorists responsible for the brutal killings must be brought to justice.

Expressing anger and sorrow over the Musakhail killings, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the local administration to cooperate with the bereaved families and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.

"The terrorists responsible for the Musakhail incident will be punished. The war against terrorists will continue until the complete elimination of terrorism from the country," PM Shehbaz said.

Issuing a strong condemnation of the incident, CM Balochistan Bugti vowed to bring the terrorists and their facilitators to the dock.