Unidentified gunmen shot dead five labourers from Punjab province in the Mashkail area of Balochistan's Washuk district on Sunday, Deputy Commissioner Majid Sarparah confirmed.
Attack Details
Sarparah said all five victims were residents of different parts of Punjab and were employed at local shops in the area. "The attackers opened fire on the shops, killing all five workers at the scene before fleeing," he said. Police and security forces rushed to the area after the attack, shifted the bodies to the hospital and launched a search operation to trace the assailants. The bodies were later sent to the victims' hometowns after post-mortem examinations.
Investigation and Suspects
Sarparah said authorities had launched an investigation into the incident and were making efforts to identify and arrest those responsible. Security sources said that the attackers belonged to Fitna al-Hindustan, a term used by Pakistan for India-backed terrorists. The sources identified the victims as Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Qadeer, Mohsin and Bilal.
Official Condemnation
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident, describing the attack as a "barbaric and cowardly act". In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Shehbaz expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said targeting innocent and defenceless labourers was an inhumane crime. "Targeting innocent and unarmed labourers is an extremely barbaric and cowardly act, which cannot be condemned enough," the prime minister said. He added that those involved in such "crimes against humanity" deserved no leniency.
The prime minister said terrorists were targeting innocent civilians to pursue their objectives, but such attacks would not weaken the nation's resolve against terrorism. "The government and security forces remain fully committed to eliminating terrorism from the country and protecting the lives and property of every citizen," he said.
In a statement issued by the Presidency, President Zardari described the targeting of innocent civilians and labourers as "open barbarity". "Targeting innocent civilians and hardworking labourers is open barbarity," the president said. He said such "cowardly attacks" would not weaken the nation's resolve against terrorism. "Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists and their facilitators will be brought before the law," he said. The president reaffirmed the state's commitment to protecting the lives and property of its citizens, saying all necessary measures would continue to be taken to ensure public security. He also prayed for the departed souls and expressed hope that the victims' families would be granted strength and patience to bear their loss.
