Five labourers killed in gun attack in Balochistan's Washuk

Five labourers from Punjab were shot dead after unidentified gunmen opened fire on shops in the Mashkail area of Balochistan's Washuk district on Sunday, in yet another deadly attack targeting civilians in the province.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed the incident, saying the victims were working at local shops when armed assailants stormed the area and opened indiscriminate fire. All five men died on the spot, while the attackers fled before security personnel arrived.

Deputy Commissioner Washuk Majid Sarparah said the victims belonged to different districts of Punjab and had travelled to Mashkail for work. Their bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities before being sent to their native towns.

Police and security forces cordoned off the area soon after the attack and launched a search operation to trace those responsible. Investigators are collecting evidence as authorities pursue multiple leads to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the killings, describing the attack on innocent workers as a cowardly act. He expressed grief over the loss of lives, extended condolences to the bereaved families, and directed law enforcement agencies to bring the attackers to justice without delay.

Officials said security had been tightened across the area, while the investigation into the incident remains underway.

The latest attack came amid ongoing efforts by security forces to curb militancy in Balochistan, where incidents targeting civilians and security personnel have continued to pose serious security challenges.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident, describing the attack as a "barbaric and cowardly act".

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Shehbaz expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said targeting innocent and defenceless labourers was an inhumane crime.

"Targeting innocent and unarmed labourers is an extremely barbaric and cowardly act, which cannot be condemned enough," the prime minister said.

He added that those involved in such "crimes against humanity" deserved no leniency.

The prime minister said terrorists were targeting innocent civilians to pursue their objectives, but such attacks would not weaken the nation's resolve against terrorism.

"The government and security forces remain fully committed to eliminating terrorism from the country and protecting the lives and property of every citizen," he said.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, President Zardari described the targeting of innocent civilians and labourers as "open barbarity".

He said such "cowardly attacks" would not weaken the nation's resolve against terrorism.

"Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists and their facilitators will be brought before the law," he said.

The president reaffirmed the state's commitment to protecting the lives and property of its citizens, saying all necessary measures would continue to be taken to ensure public security.

He also prayed for the departed souls and expressed hope that the victims' families would be granted strength and patience to bear their loss.