Unidentified men killed seven labourers and injured two in their house in Balochistan’s Panjgur on Saturday night, sources within the police said, as the province battles rising terrorism.
The deceased were identified as Sajid, Shafeeq, Fiaz, Iftikhar, Salman, Khalid, and Allah Wasaya.
The incident occurred in the district’s Khubadadan area. Initial reports said that the deceased were from different parts of Punjab. They were working on a house construction project in the region.
A similar kind of attack occurred in May where assailants targeted the house in the Surbandar area of Gwadar in the wee hours and shot dead seven labourers.
Sources said that the banned terrorist organisation Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) was behind the attack. They added that such terrorists have “no religion or creed, as they attack defenceless labourers who travel to distant regions to earn a living.”
The tragic incident highlights ongoing security concerns in the area, prompting calls for increased measures to protect local workers and residents.
The killing occurred a month after a horrific act of violence when 23 passengers were shot dead after being pulled off trucks and buses at a checkpoint near Rara Sham in the Musakhel district of Balochistan on August 26.
In April, terrorists intercepted a bus travelling from Quetta and forced nine passengers off the bus to mercilessly gun them down. The gruesome incident was a reminder of similar executions carried out in the past.
At a press conference on September 5, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry spoke about the foreign influences in terror incidents. The spokesperson emphasised that such “brutal and inhumane predators” have no connection to Islam or Pakistan or Balochistan traditions.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was grieved over the killings, according to a statement.
“Those responsible for the shooting of innocent labourers do not deserve any leniency,” he said. Naqvi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased workers, emphasizing that all sympathies are with them during this tragic time.
The interior minister assured that he “stands in solidarity with the grieving families during their hour of sorrow.” He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured labourers.
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Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the murder of labourers in Panjgur. He described the killing as “utterly condemnable,” stating: “Once again, the blood of innocents has been shed on our soil.”
Bugti characterised the terrorists as “cowardly and devoid of humanity,” asserting that they would be held accountable for the murders both in this world and the hereafter. “Once again, terrorists have targeted poor Pakistani labourers in Balochistan.”
He questioned “how long the terrorists would continue to hide in their lairs,” vowing that they would be tracked down and held responsible for the targeted killings of Pakistanis.
This is a developing story and sometimes receiving details and reporting facts takes time or leads to inaccuracy. But we will ensure that things are reported properly.
