WASHUK/ QUETTA: At least five labourers hailing from Punjab province were shot dead after armed terrorists belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) opened fire on shops in the Mashkel area of Washuk district, Balochistan.
According to police sources, the attackers indiscriminately opened fire at shops where labourers were working, killing all five victims on the spot before fleeing the scene.
Initial investigations revealed that all the deceased belonged to different areas of Punjab.
Police and security forces reached the scene shortly after the attack, shifted the bodies to a hospital, and launched a large-scale search operation to track down the attackers.
Following legal formalities and post-mortem examinations, the bodies were dispatched to their hometowns.
The terrorists fled the scene after committing the crime. Police have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the motive behind the attack.
Meanwhile, security forces and other law enforcement agencies have initiated a search operation to trace and arrest those responsible for the killings.
Officials said investigations are under way, with law enforcement agencies collecting forensic evidence and pursuing multiple leads to identify and apprehend those involved. Security has also been tightened across the area as the search operation continues.
Deputy Commissioner Washuk Majid Sarparah said the deceased belonged to different districts of Punjab and had been employed in the area for work.
They had been working in Mashkel to earn their livelihood.
Officials identified the five victims as Muhammad Hassan, son of Inayatullah, a barber from Pasrur, Sialkot; Muhammad Qadeer, son of Muhammad Arshad, also a barber from Pasrur, Sialkot; Mohsin, son of Shaukat Ali, a resident of Narowal, Punjab; Bilal, son of Abdul Ghani, a mason from Khanpur in Rahim Yar Khan district; and another Bilal, a labourer from Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan.
Levies said the ill-fated labourers had come to Nushki a few days ago.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind has confirmed that five labourers from Punjab were killed after unidentified armed men opened fire on shops in the Mashkel area on Sunday.
However, Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed law enforcement agencies to ensure the immediate arrest of those responsible.
He minister reaffirmed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and that no effort would be spared to protect the lives of citizens and maintain peace in the province.
The attack has once again highlighted security challenges in parts of Balochistan, where authorities say counterterrorism operations will continue until those responsible are brought to justice.