A brutal act of violence shook Balochistan on February 19, 2025, as militants executed seven passengers in the Barkhan attack. Armed assailants intercepted a bus traveling from Quetta to Lahore near Rarkan. They set up a checkpoint, stopped the vehicle, and checked passengers’ identity cards. After identifying their targets, the attackers forcibly removed seven individuals and shot them dead.
The victims, all from Punjab, have been identified as Muhammad Ishaq, Ashiq Hussain, Asim Ali, Adnan Mustafa, and Muhammad Ajmal. Their bodies were shifted to Rakni Hospital, where an emergency was declared. Medical teams rushed to provide immediate assistance.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the Barkhan attack. Calling it a cowardly act, he stated that targeting innocent civilians is unforgivable. He vowed that the perpetrators would face justice. Security forces, including the Frontier Corps (FC) and Levies, reached the scene and launched a search operation. Authorities are actively hunting down those responsible for the brutal act.
The Barkhan attack mirrors a similar incident from August 26, 2024, when militants in Musakhail, Balochistan, killed 23 passengers. In that attack, terrorists blocked a highway and executed travelers from Punjab. These repeated incidents highlight serious security concerns for people traveling through the province.
Chief Minister Bugti assured the public that law enforcement agencies will track down the attackers. “We will not rest until the terrorists behind the Barkhan attack are punished,” he declared. He emphasized that violence against innocent people will not be tolerated. “The enemies of peace will be held accountable,” he said.
Bugti reiterated that the government remains committed to defeating terrorism. “Those shedding the blood of innocent Pakistanis will meet their ultimate fate,” he vowed. Security forces continue their search operation, determined to bring justice to the victims of the Barkhan attack.
