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PM Shehbaz Vows to Eradicate Terrorism After Barkhan Attack
PM Shehbaz Sharif condemns the brutal killing of seven passengers in Barkhan, vowing swift justice. Terrorism will not be tolerated!
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-19
PM Shehbaz Vows to Eradicate Terrorism After Barkhan Attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the brutal killing of seven passengers in Balochistan’s Barkhan district, reaffirming the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from Pakistan.

The tragic incident occurred late Tuesday night when armed assailants stopped a bus, identified Punjab-bound passengers, and executed them on the spot. According to Barkhan Deputy Commissioner (DC) Waqar Khurshid Alam, the victims were traveling to Lahore when they were forcibly removed from the coach and shot dead.

PM Shehbaz, in an official statement, expressed deep sorrow over the killings and extended condolences to the victims' families. "Those who harm innocent and defenseless people will have to pay a very heavy price," he asserted, adding that the government remains resolute in its mission to eliminate terrorism.

The prime minister directed authorities to ensure swift justice and assured that the sacrifices of innocent civilians would not go in vain.

Rising Wave of Terrorism in Balochistan

Pakistan has seen an alarming rise in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the collapse of the ceasefire between the government and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2022.

Security forces swiftly cordoned off the attack site in Barkhan, and the bodies of the victims were transferred to the district headquarters hospital. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Safaraz Bugti also condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act by the "enemies of peace." He vowed a strong response against terrorism, emphasizing that justice would be served.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that security forces, including Frontier Corps and levies personnel, were actively pursuing the attackers.

Pattern of Targeted Killings in Balochistan

This massacre is the latest in a series of violent attacks targeting people from Punjab in Balochistan. In recent months, similar incidents have occurred:

  • April 2024: Nine people were executed after being offloaded from a bus near Noshki, while two laborers from Punjab were killed in Kech.
  • May 2023: Seven barbers from Punjab were shot dead in Gwadar.
  • August 2023: Twenty-three travelers were forcibly taken from trucks and buses and executed in Musakhail.

Many of these attacks have been attributed to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group known for targeting both security forces and civilians.

Tuesday’s attack comes just days after a deadly blast in Harnai that killed 12 coal miners.

With escalating violence in the province, authorities face mounting pressure to strengthen security and bring perpetrators to justice. PM Shehbaz’s stern warning against terrorism signals the government’s resolve, but whether these attacks can be curbed remains a critical challenge.
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