On Thursday, officials confirmed that nine passengers, all from Punjab, were brutally shot dead in the Loralai district after being abducted by terrorists linked to “Fitna-ul-Hindustan.” All nine victims were executed in cold blood.
The bodies of the victims were initially transported to Rakhni Basic Health Unit (BHU) for identification and have since been dispatched to their hometowns in Punjab. The Baloch Levy Line received the victims’ bodies, and their families have been notified.
Authorities have confirmed that raids are underway to track down the assailants. The incident has ignited widespread outrage and intensified calls for more robust measures to eliminate terrorism, especially in volatile regions like Balochistan. Security forces have launched a search operation in the affected area, and traffic has been restored on both sides of the highway.
President Zardari Vows to Eradicate “Fitna-e-Hindustan” from Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the barbaric killings, labeling the incident an act of savagery. In an official statement, he declared, “The terrorist agents of Fitna-e-Hindustan are executing a heinous plot of bloodshed in Pakistan. Targeting unarmed civilians after identification is pure brutality.”
Zardari emphasized that the enemy’s proxies are attempting to destabilize Pakistan and vowed, “We will cleanse our land of all such forces and their facilitators. Our struggle against terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated.” He extended his profound sorrow and solidarity to the victims’ families.
Punjab Chief Minister Condemns Terrorist Attack
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Balochistan and expressed deep grief over the killing of innocent passengers. She extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, calling the incident a national tragedy that demands justice and unity against terrorism.
Victims Identified Across Punjab
According to Deputy Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Usman Khalid, the victims hailed from various parts of Punjab:
- Jabbar and Usman, brothers from Lodhran
- Muhammad Irfan from Basti Buzdar, Taunsa Sharif
- Sabir from Gujranwala
- Muhammad Asif from Chowk Qureshi, Muzaffargarh
- Ghulam Saeed from 72/15-L, Khanewal (on leave to visit family)
- Muhammad Junaid from Lahore
- Muhammad Bilal from Attock
- Bilawal from Gujrat
Loralai Commissioner Saadat Hussain reported that the incident occurred near the Dakai intersection on the National Highway connecting Loralai and Musakhel. The victims were kidnapped after disembarking from a passenger bus.
“Armed assailants intercepted the passengers, separated them based on identity, and took them away. Their bodies have now been recovered,” the commissioner informed reporters.
Earlier reports indicated that “Fitna-ul-Hindustan” terrorists attacked passenger buses in Kalat, Mastung, and Loralai, abducting several travelers. A spokesperson for the provincial government stated that a search operation was launched in the affected areas to safely recover the abducted passengers.
Police sources confirmed that the attacks occurred on Wednesday. Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind corroborated the incidents, stating that security forces responded promptly and robustly at all three locations.
Rind underscored that forces were fully alert to ensure civilian safety and that every effort was being made to secure the release of the kidnapped passengers. He added that security forces are conducting intensive operations against the terrorists, with citizen protection remaining the government’s top priority.
