23 dead in Musakhail attack: Assailants target passengers on highway near Quetta

The victims, mainly from Punjab, were shot and over 10 vehicles were set on fire by the assailants before they fled.

QUETTA:

Armed men have killed 23 people after forcing them off their vehicles at a roadblock put up on a highway in Balochistan's Musakhail district, the police reported on Monday.

The attackers targeted trucks and buses on an inter-provincial highway near Rarah Sham, according to Musakhail’s police chief, Ayub Achakzai.

The victims, primarily from Punjab, were shot dead after being pulled from their vehicles.

Before fleeing the scene, the assailants set more than 10 vehicles on fire, Achakzai said.

A heavy police contingent and levies officials responded, transporting the bodies to a nearby hospital.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the attack.

Before fleeing the scene, the assailants set more than 10 vehicles on fire, Achakzai said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

Bugti stated that the terrorists had targeted innocent people and vowed that neither the attackers nor their facilitators would escape justice.

He assured that the government would relentlessly pursue those responsible.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a passenger bus in Musakhel area of Balochistan.

Expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the despicable incident, they prayed for the departed souls and condoled with the bereaved families.