Gunmen Kill 9 After Kidnapping Bus Passengers on Highway in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Post by : Priya

  Photo:Reuters

In the early hours of a recent Friday, tragedy unfolded on a quiet highway in southwestern Pakistan. In a shocking act of violence, gunmen intercepted two buses traveling through Balochistan’s Noshki district, forcefully removed nine passengers, and executed them. Their bodies were found hours later, riddled with bullets and discarded by the roadside. The attack has shaken the region and once again drawn attention to the persistent violence and lawlessness that haunts Pakistan’s largest and most fragile province.

Balochistan has long been a place of conflict—between the state and insurgents, between different ethnic and religious groups, and between poverty and progress. While the rest of Pakistan sees gradual development, Balochistan continues to suffer from insecurity, neglect, and bloodshed.

The Attack – What Happened?

On July 11, 2025, two buses were traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to the border town of Taftan, which lies close to Iran. The route, though essential for trade and travel, is notoriously unsafe, especially at night.

As the buses approached a stretch of road near the Noshki district, armed men suddenly appeared. According to eyewitnesses and police reports, the gunmen were well-organized and heavily armed. They signaled the buses to stop, and fearing for their lives, the drivers complied.

Once inside, the attackers began checking the national identity cards (CNICs) of passengers. After identifying their targets—possibly based on ethnicity, region, or profession—they forcibly removed nine individuals. The buses were then allowed to continue, leaving behind a trail of horror.

The bodies of the kidnapped passengers were discovered later that day, dumped in a remote area, all of them shot dead.

No group has claimed responsibility as of yet. However, the method of the attack and the region's violent history suggest the involvement of separatist militants or local armed groups.

Balochistan’s Troubled Past

To understand the root of this brutal crime, one must understand Balochistan’s long and painful history.

Balochistan covers nearly 44% of Pakistan’s land area, but it has the country’s smallest population. It is rich in natural resources, including gas, coal, and valuable minerals. Despite its resource wealth, the people of Balochistan remain some of the poorest in the country.

Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, there have been several insurgencies in Balochistan. Local nationalist groups claim that the federal government exploits the province's resources without sharing the benefits with its people. Over the years, these grievances have turned into armed rebellions.

In response, the Pakistani military and paramilitary forces have launched operations to suppress the insurgents. But these operations have also been accused of human rights violations, including disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

The cycle of violence has continued for decades—militants attack infrastructure and security forces, and in return, the state cracks down on dissent. Caught in the middle are ordinary people, like the bus passengers who were killed in Noshki.

Who Could Be Behind the Attack?

While no one has claimed responsibility for this attack, past incidents provide some clues.

Baloch Separatist Groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA) have targeted non-Baloch settlers and government employees in the past. These groups claim to be fighting for the rights of ethnic Baloch people.

Sectarian Militants have also been active in Balochistan. In past years, Shia Muslim pilgrims traveling by bus have been pulled out and killed based on their religious identity.

Criminal Gangs and Smugglers operate along border routes. Some attacks may be linked to territorial control, trafficking routes, or local disputes.

It is also possible that the attackers had inside information. Some victims were possibly targeted due to profession, tribal affiliation, or personal enmity, hidden behind a broader narrative of insurgency.

 The Victims and the Families Left Behind

The nine individuals who lost their lives in this attack were innocent travelers. They were likely on their way to the border for trade, pilgrimage, or work. These were ordinary citizens—drivers, laborers, and workers—whose only crime was being on the wrong road at the wrong time.

For their families, the pain is unbearable. Mothers, fathers, children, and siblings now mourn loved ones who left home with the promise of return but never came back. In Quetta and other towns, grief hangs heavy in the air.

Many families gathered at hospitals and morgues, demanding justice and answers. But answers are hard to find, and justice in Balochistan often remains elusive.

 Government Response – Too Little, Too Late?

After the incident, the police launched a search operation. Roadblocks were set up. Army and Frontier Corps units were deployed to assist. Officials visited the area, made statements, and offered condolences.

But for many in Balochistan, this is not enough.

Over the years, there have been dozens of such attacks on buses, trains, and convoys. Each time, security is tightened for a few days. Then, things return to “normal,” until the next tragedy strikes.

People are losing faith in the promises of protection.

The federal government in Islamabad, and the provincial government in Quetta, must do more than offer words. They must take bold steps to secure highways, invest in intelligence gathering, and bring killers to justice.

The Role of Media and Civil Society

Incidents like this often receive limited coverage in national media. When a similar attack happens in a major city like Lahore or Karachi, it dominates headlines for days. But when it happens in Balochistan, the news often fades within hours.

This media neglect adds to the sense of alienation felt by the people of the province.

Civil society organizations, human rights groups, and independent journalists must raise their voices. They must push for transparency, demand accountability, and keep the spotlight on the region.

When silence follows bloodshed, impunity thrives.

A History of Similar Attacks

The Noshki killings are not an isolated incident. Here are some examples from the past:

2019 Gwadar Incident: Gunmen intercepted a bus and killed 14 passengers after checking their ID cards.

2015 Mastung Massacre: Over 20 passengers were killed in a similar attack.

2011 Pilgrim Attacks: Shia Muslim pilgrims were targeted and killed while traveling to Iran.

These attacks follow a chillingly similar pattern: armed men, identity checks, selective killings, and no accountability.

 A Call for National Unity and Action

The people of Balochistan are not asking for miracles. They are asking for basic safety, equal rights, and dignity.

Pakistan must come together as a nation. Leaders in government, opposition, media, and religious groups must speak with one voice against such violence. Unity is the first step toward peace.

Steps that must be taken immediately include:

Upgrading security on highways and key routes.

Increasing the presence of well-trained police rather than relying solely on military forces.

Improving local intelligence and coordination with tribal elders.

Launching investigations that are independent, transparent, and time-bound.

Ensuring that victims’ families receive compensation and support.

The Road Ahead

• Pakistan stands at a crossroads. The killings in Noshki are not just about nine lives lost—they are a test of the state’s ability to protect its citizens, no matter where they live.
• If Pakistan wants to be seen as a fair and just nation, then Balochistan cannot be left behind. The province must be treated not as a battleground, but as a partner in progress.
• Only then can such tragedies be prevented.

Balochistan bus attack