Balochistan is once again in the news after a tragic shooting incident. At least five people were killed and two were injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on locals at a dam site in Panjgur district, according to provincial government official Shahid Rind on Tuesday.
The victims were involved in maintaining the dam, the official confirmed. The attack occurred in the Paroom area. Levies officials reported that armed men on motorcycles carried out the shooting.
This incident follows a recent attack in the same district where seven labourers from Punjab were killed. Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan by area, has seen a surge in terrorist activities. Along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it accounted for 97% of the total 722 fatalities reported in the first three quarters of the year, according to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
Earlier this month, another tragedy struck when 20 colliers were killed in a rocket attack on coal mines in Balochistan’s Duki district. This prompted over 40,000 labourers to flee back to their home areas.
Details about the latest shooting indicate that the bodies of the victims have been transported to the Panjgur Teaching Hospital. Authorities are currently conducting further investigations into the attack.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti reacted strongly to the incident. He condemned the attack, calling it “unforgivable.” He described the terrorists as followers of anti-national elements who oppose peace and development in Balochistan. The chief minister vowed to bring those responsible for this cowardly act to justice.
