At least seven bus passengers shot down in Barkhan, Balochistan

• Passengers say gunmen boarded bus and checked identity cards.
• 'Terrorists took away seven travellers away to nearby mountain.'
• Law-enforcers launch investigation into tragic incident. 

At least seven passengers were killed in a tragic incident in the Barkhan area of Balochistan on Wednesday, according to the Barkhan Assistant Commissioner.

The attack occurred on the National Highway in the Rarkan area, where unidentified armed assailants stopped a passenger bus and resorted to aerial firing, said Assistant Commissioner Khadim Hussain.

The gunmen then boarded the bus, checked the identity cards of the passengers, and forcibly took seven individuals to a nearby mountain. Shortly after, gunshots were heard.

When local law enforcement agencies, including the Levies force, arrived at the scene, they discovered the bodies of the seven abducted passengers.

Bodies have been shifted to a nearby Rakni hospital, according to the Levies force. The deceased belonged to different cities of Punjab. 

According to the bus service office, at least 45 people were on board the ill-fated bus, on its way from Quetta to Faisalabad. 

According to a passenger, Zeeshan Mustafa, a resident of Burewala, who was on his way to Multan, terrorists escorted his brother away after they checked his identity card. 

The gunmen were ten to 12 in number, Zeeshan said, adding all the terrorists were carrying Kalashnikovs. 

Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the perpetrators. Following the incident, two-way vehicular traffic on the National Highway, which connects Punjab to Balochistan, has been suspended.

Perpetrators to be brought to justice: Balochistan CM

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has strongly condemned the brutal killing of seven passengers in Barkhan, describing it as a "heinous and reprehensible act."

"Terrorists are targeting innocent and unarmed civilians,” said CM Bugti, reacting to the tragedy.

“This cowardly attack by enemies of peace is intolerable, and they will be met with a strong response."

He further emphasised that those responsible for martyring Pakistanis will be brought to justice.

Following the attack, security forces, including the FC and Levies, swiftly arrived at the scene and launched a search operation to track down the perpetrators.

The spokesperson for the Balochistan government said that security forces are actively pursuing the terrorists.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Police have launched investigations into the incident.

The Barkhan tragedy comes almost a week after a terrorist attack in Harnai where 11 labourers were killed in the blast, according to Harnai Deputy Commissioner Hazrat Wali Kakar. 

The country witnessed a sharp increase in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.

The data revealed that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.

KP remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP's settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.

The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile Fata) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.