News Brief
Nine Bus Passengers Abducted and Killed In Pakistan's Balochistan Province
Balochistan (Representative Image)
Nine passengers were kidnapped and shot dead by armed assailants in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, officials said on Friday (11 July), India Today reported.
Suspicions for the incident point to separatist rebel groups. However, no group has claimed responsibility yet.
Provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that the victims were taken from multiple buses on Thursday evening (10 July) by unidentified gunmen.
The attackers reportedly led them into a nearby mountainous area.
“Their bodies with bullet wounds were found in the mountains overnight,” government official Naveed Alam was quoted by India Today.
Attacks targeting bus passengers in Balochistan have occurred repeatedly over the years, often involving abductions and executions, particularly of individuals identified as being from Punjab province.
These rebel groups have often accused the federal government of exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources for the benefit of other regions.
Balochistan is rich in minerals but has long been plagued by insurgent violence, sectarian attacks, and political unrest.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), one of the most active insurgent groups in the region, has led a low-level insurgency demanding greater autonomy and control over local resources.
