Pakistan: Gunmen abduct, kill 9 bus passengers after checking ID
In a shocking incident in Noshki, Pakistan, nine residents of Punjab were kidnapped and later killed by unidentified armed assailants. The victims were traveling on a passenger bus, which was intercepted by approximately 10-12 gunmen who blocked the Quetta-Taftan Highway N-40 near Noshki. Deputy Commissioner Habibullah Musakhel confirmed that the attackers checked passengers' IDs before abducting the nine individuals.
Bodies of kidnapped passengers found under bridge
The bodies of the abducted passengers were later found under a nearby bridge. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned these violent acts, demanding a comprehensive report on the incident. "Facilitators will be punished," he stated, assuring that those responsible would face consequences. Balochistan's Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed deep sorrow over the tragic event, vowing to combat terrorism with decisive actions.
No claim of responsibility yet for the attacks
No group has claimed responsibility for these attacks so far. However, similar incidents in the past have been associated with separatist ethnic Baloch militant groups. These groups have been fighting against the Pakistan government for years, targeting ethnic Punjabis and Sindhis from other parts of Pakistan, as well as foreign energy companies they accuse of exploiting their region.
