At least 9 passengers lost their lives after armed men kidnap and kill them from 2 Punjab-bound coaches in Balochistan. The kidnapping and murders took place in Sur-Dakai region, which is on the border of Zhob and Loralai districts, on Thursday night.
The tragic event was confirmed by Zhob Assistant Commissioner Naveed Alam. He said, nine individuals kidnapped in the two coaches were killed and their bodies were retrieved. The bodies of the victims were taken to Rakhni by the officials to be delivered to their hometowns in Punjab.
Organized Assaults and Verification by Authorities
The coordination of the attacks was confirmed by Shahid Rind, the spokesperson of the Balochistan government. Shahid Rind observed that Fitna al Hindustan, a name that is usually associated with terrorist organizations in Balochistan, had conducted attacks in three different places, Kakat, Mastung, and Sur-Dakai.
He added, there are reports of kidnapping of some passengers in Sur-Dakai area. He further said that security agencies had initiated a search mission to rescue any other kidnapped persons safely.
According to sources, two coaches going to Punjab were stopped along the N-70 highway, near Dab, a place along the Loralai-Zhob border. A gang of armed men halted the road and halted the cars.
Forced Abduction and Identification Check
As one of the passengers who survived the attack told the Levies, the attackers entered the coaches. They verified the CNICs of passengers and ordered ten people out of the vehicles at gunpoint. They pulled out ten passengers, seven out of one coach and three out of the other, and carried them off, he said. I do not know what they did to them, but I heard gunshots when we were leaving.
After the compulsory kidnapping, the armed men permitted the coaches to continue their trip. But the terror was still heavy on the survivors.
The police immediately closed the highway. They initiated a massive search program to find the perpetrators and punish them.
Identity Card-Based Targeted Killings
Some of the credible sources indicate that the attackers verified the identity cards of all passengers. They specifically targeted the ones with Punjab addresses. Once they had identified their targets, they made the passengers get out of the buses. They also fired at the coaches in the process to ensure that no one tries to escape or resist.
A senior police official confirmed reports of the killing of nine passengers who were kidnapped by the armed men. The government is worried that additional targeted killings may be experienced in case the perpetrators are not caught.
Banned Group Takes Responsibility
The deadly attack was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Front, a proscribed separatist group. One of the group spokesmen announced that armed men kidnap and killed persons after blocking the road between Musakhail-Makhtar and Khajuri. Their message also fanned the flames in an already volatile region.
Present Condition and Continued Function
The police are still combing the environs. Security agencies are on high alert and efforts are underway to trace the other suspects. The event has increased the questioning of highway safety and interprovincial travellers in Balochistan.
Police have asked people to be alert. Emergency hotlines are also on to report suspicious activities in the area.
The murder of the nine passengers has caused anger and sorrow in Balochistan and Punjab. . Authorities pledged to bring justice to the victims and security to the future travellers.
