Musakhel, Balochistan – In a shocking escalation of violence, more than 20 labourers were abducted by armed men in Musakhel on Sunday, just hours after seven labourers were shot dead in a separate incident in the Panjgur district. According to police reports, gunmen opened fire on a camp of labourers working for a gas company, set ablaze eight bulldozers, and then took over 20 workers hostage.
The attack occurred in the Khuda-e-Abadan area, where the labourers were residing. The assault left seven individuals dead and one wounded. Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene as the attackers stormed the workers’ camp, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in the province.
The Panjgur deputy commissioner confirmed the earlier attack, stating that unidentified gunmen entered a house and opened fire indiscriminately at the residents. Victims from both incidents were transported to Panjgur District Hospital for medical treatment. Law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators of these brutal attacks.
These incidents in Musakhel and Panjgur highlight the severe security challenges faced by Balochistan, a province that has seen a surge in terrorist activity, mirroring the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Last month, 23 passengers were killed in a similar attack when they were forcibly offloaded from buses and trucks in the Rarasham area of Musakhel district.
According to a report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the second quarter of this year alone recorded 380 violence-linked fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws across the country.
In response to the Panjgur attack, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences to the bereaved families. President Zardari condemned the targeting of innocent labourers, calling it a “brutal and reprehensible act.” Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated the government’s commitment to “root out all forms of terrorism” from the nation.
As investigations continue, the plight of labourers in Balochistan remains a pressing concern amid ongoing security threats.
