Bodies of 9 passengers slain by terrorists in Balochistan sent to Punjab for burial

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti presided over a high-level security meeting on Friday to review the province’s overall law and order situation, with particular focus on the recent Sardhaka incident in which nine passengers were kidnapped and brutally murdered.

During the session, the Balochistan inspector general of police provided a detailed briefing on the incident and shared updates on the ongoing investigation and security operations in the area.

Chief Minister Bugti issued firm directives to law enforcement agencies, instructing them to launch immediate and decisive action against those involved. He stressed that the perpetrators of this heinous crime would face the full force of the law, with no leniency shown.

“The pursuit of these terrorists will continue until they are brought to justice. There will be no compromise on enforcing the law in Balochistan,” the chief minister said, adding that security forces have been authorised to act beyond the usual limits of levies and police jurisdictions if required.

Read: Terrorists slaughter nine passengers

He further instructed the relevant departments to strengthen emergency response mechanisms to deal with such incidents more effectively in the future.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the nine passengers killed in the Sardhaka tragedy were transported to their hometowns in Punjab early Friday morning.

Zhob Assistant Commissioner Naveed Alam said armed accused intercepted two passenger coaches and singled out nine passengers, murdering them after identification. The incident happened at the Sardhaka area on the border between Loralai and Zhob districts.

The provincial administration ensured that the transfer took place under strict security arrangements to maintain law and order during the process. The meeting concluded with a special prayer for the victims.

'Barbaric act'

President Asif Ali Zardari described the killings as a “barbaric act” and said that it was part of Fitna al-Hindustan’s broader conspiracy to destabilise Pakistan, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to cleanse the country of all such threats and their facilitators, saying, “We will clear our land of Fitna al-Hindustan at all costs”.

Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in the strongest terms, terming it “blatant terrorism”. He asserted that the perpetrators would be dealt with through full state force.

“The blood of innocent people will be avenged,” he said, blaming the Indian state for supporting such acts against unarmed civilians.