At least nine passengers were abducted and brutally killed by terrorists after they stopped a bus traveling from Quetta to Lahore, in a harrowing attack near Loralai district.
According to official sources, militants intercepted the passenger bus, checked the National Identity Cards of the passengers, and forcibly removed selected individuals before opening fire on them.
Assistant Commissioner Zhob, Naveed Alam, confirmed the tragic event, stating that the victims’ bodies are being transported to Rakhni Hospital for identification and legal procedures.
Coordinated Attacks Across the Region
The Loralai incident is reported to be part of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Qalat, Mastung, and surrounding districts. The Balochistan government spokesperson, Shahid Rind, labeled the attacks as the work of “Fitna-e-Hindustan”, alleging a foreign hand in the wave of violence.
“Three terror attacks were carried out in the region. While two were successfully foiled, in one tragic case, civilians traveling to Punjab were offloaded and executed,” Rind said.
He described the attack as a “continuation of barbaric activities” targeting innocent civilians, and highlighted that a general threat alert had been issued earlier, warning passenger buses against traveling on the N-70 highway due to security threats. Despite the restriction, a bus departed in the evening, resulting in the devastating attack.
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National Outrage and Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly and barbaric act of terrorism”.
“The blood of the innocent will not go in vain. We will deal with terrorists with full force,” he said in an official statement.
He further described the killings as an act of blatant terrorism by ‘Fitnatul Hindustan’ and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism through unity and strength.
The victims were reportedly from various cities across Punjab, and their execution has sparked nationwide outrage and demands for stronger security measures along inter-provincial routes.
Security Measures Under Scrutiny
The deadly ambush has raised critical questions over compliance with travel restrictions and protection of civilian transport. Authorities have promised a full investigation into the failure of preventive measures and have vowed to pursue the perpetrators.
The incident adds to a growing list of security challenges in Balochistan, a region long troubled by militancy and insurgency. Experts warn that without enhanced intelligence coordination and enforcement of travel advisories, such tragedies could recur.
