Baloch Separatists Target Punjab Passengers in Deadly Bus Attack

Unidentified gunmen targeted a passenger bus traveling from Quetta to Taftan in Balochistan, Pakistan, killing nine passengers from Punjab province. The incident occurred near Nushki district, a region plagued by separatist insurgency. The attackers, after checking passengers' ID cards, off-boarded and shot the victims at close range before fleeing into the mountains. While no group has claimed responsibility, Baloch nationalists cite political marginalization and economic exploitation as underlying issues. Pakistani authorities deny these claims, emphasizing development efforts in Balochistan. Recent attacks by Baloch separatists, including the Baloch Liberation Army, have escalated tensions in the region.

Notably, this attack follows a series of violent incidents targeting Punjabi laborers and political figures in Balochistan. The assailants have also launched assaults on strategic installations, posing a significant security threat. Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti has condemned the attack, vowing to apprehend the perpetrators and maintain peace in the region.