Five of the labourers belonging to Punjab, Pakistan, were martyred by the terrorists in Washuk district of Balochistan on Sunday, July 12.
The workers were shot dead after unidentified gunmen opened fire on shops in the Mashkail area of Washuk district, targeting civilians in the province.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said the victims were working at local shops when armed assailants entered the area and opened indiscriminate fire. All five men died at the scene, while the attackers fled before security forces arrived.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Washuk, Majid Sarparah, said the victims belonged to different districts of Punjab and had travelled to Mashkail for work. Their bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities before being sent to their hometowns.
Police and security personnel cordoned off the area after the attack and launched a search operation to trace those responsible. Officials said investigators were collecting evidence and pursuing multiple leads.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the killings, describing the attack on innocent workers as a “cowardly act”. He expressed condolences to the victims’ families and directed law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrators were brought to justice.
Security has been tightened across the area, while investigations into the attack remain under way.
The incident comes amid continuing security challenges in Balochistan, where attacks targeting civilians and security personnel have persisted despite ongoing counterterrorism operations.
The armed forces of Pakistan have launched an operation named ‘Operation Shaban’ against terrorists operating in Balochistan.
Security forces have killed four more terrorists, bringing the total toll to 71.
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