Nine passengers travelling from Balochistan to Punjab were abducted and killed by gunmen near the Sur-Dakai area on Thursday night, according to local officials.
The incident occurred when two Punjab-bound buses were stopped along the N-70 highway near the Loralai-Zhob border. Armed men reportedly checked passengers’ identity cards and selected individuals with Punjab addresses. Ten people were taken off the buses at gunpoint; nine were later found dead in the nearby hills.
Assistant Commissioner Zhob, Naveed Alam, confirmed the recovery of the bodies and said they had been transported to Rakhni for return to their families. Security forces have launched a search operation in the area, and the highway remains closed to traffic.
The banned Balochistan Liberation Front later claimed responsibility. The group, along with other separatist outfits, has previously targeted non-Baloch passengers, accusing the federal government of taking resources from the province.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind blamed India-backed groups for the killings. He said the attackers also carried out attempts in Mastung and Kalat earlier the same day, which were repelled by security forces.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the killings. “The blood of innocent people will be avenged,” said the prime minister. CM Bugti called the attack a crime and promised a strong response.
Security officials said the attack happened despite security protocols and general threat alerts issued for other parts of the province. Overnight travel on the highway had been restricted, but the area of the attack had not been flagged as high-risk.
This attack adds to a rising number of incidents in Balochistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, the province saw 35 militant attacks in May, resulting in over 50 deaths. Most of the victims were civilians and security personnel.
The latest killings have raised concerns about the safety of interprovincial travellers and the continuing reach of militant groups in the region. Authorities say operations are ongoing to locate those responsible and prevent further violence.