Pakistani police hunt for gunmen responsible for the abduction and murder of 11 bus passengers in Southwest region
Published on: April 13, 2024.
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QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani police are currently on the hunt for gunmen who carried out a horrific attack, killing nine people after abducting them from a bus on a highway in the country’s southwestern Baluchistan province. The same attackers earlier killed two people and wounded six in another car that they forced to stop for them.
The abductions took place on Friday when the gunmen set up a blockade on the highway and stopped the bus, going through the passengers’ ID cards. They then took nine people with them, all from the eastern Punjab province, and escaped into the nearby mountains. Police later discovered the bodies of the abducted victims under a bridge, approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the highway. Earlier on the same day, the gunmen had opened fire at a vehicle that failed to stop for their blockade, resulting in the death of two individuals and the injury of six.
Deputy Commissioner Habibullah Mosakhail confirmed the ongoing search for the attackers, stating that the bus was traveling from the provincial capital of Quetta to Taftan, a town located on the border with Iran. Passenger Sajjad Ahmed, who was on the bus during the incident, revealed that there were around 70 people on board. According to Ahmed, masked men stopped the bus near the city of Nushki, abducted nine individuals, and ordered the driver to continue the journey. As the bus drove away, the passengers left behind heard gunshots, indicating that the abducted individuals were subjected to violence. The driver immediately headed towards the nearest police station. The fate of the abducted victims was initially unknown.
In response to the attack, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the act of terrorism, expressing his deep sorrow and regret over the incident. He offered his condolences to the families of the victims and reassured them that the government stands by them in this tragic time.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as there was no ransom demand reported. Baluchistan province has long been the site of an insurgency by separatists seeking independence. While the government claims to have suppressed the insurgency, violence in the region has persisted. Such abductions are infrequent in Baluchistan, with militant groups typically targeting security forces, soldiers, or infrastructure.
Source: [AOL News](https://www.aol.com)
