A tragic incident occurred in southwest Pakistan where gunmen targeted and killed 22 individuals after identifying their ethnicity. The attack, claimed by separatists, took place in the Musakhail district of Balochistan province, known for ongoing sectarian and ethnic violence. The Baloch Liberation Army took responsibility for the attack, which involved militants stopping vehicles on a highway and targeting individuals based on their ethnicity.
The assailants, numbering between 30 to 40, halted 22 vehicles on the highway, predominantly targeting Punjabi laborers and two paramilitary soldiers. This brutal act resulted in the loss of several lives. Balochistan, despite its wealth of natural resources, remains the poorest province in Pakistan, facing unrest fueled by separatist movements.
Baloch separatists have been actively targeting individuals from other regions of Pakistan and foreign companies operating in the area, accusing them of exploiting the region’s resources unfairly. These attacks have intensified in recent years, contributing to the volatile situation in the region.
The Prime Minister expressed sorrow and condemned the violence. This incident adds to a series of violent attacks in the region, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the authorities in addressing the conflict and maintaining peace and stability in Balochistan.