Five labourers from Punjab shot dead in Washuk

QUETTA:

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, while security forces killed four more terrorists during the ongoing 'Operation Shaaban'.

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

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 dispatched 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. Officials said security had been tightened across the area.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the killing of the five labourers, describing the attack as a "barbaric and cowardly act". They also conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

"Targeting innocent citizens and hardworking labourers is open barbarity. Such cowardly attacks cannot shake the resolve of the nation," the president said, adding that the terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan - a term used for the outlawed BLA - and their facilitators would be brought to justice. "The state will continue to take all possible steps to protect the lives and property of citizens."

Prime Minister Shehbaz also condemned the brutal killing of the five labourers. "The elements involved in such heinous crimes against humanity deserve no leniency," he said, adding that terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan were targeting innocent civilians to pursue their nefarious objectives.

"Such cowardly attacks can never shake the nation's resolve to eliminate terrorism. The government and the security forces remain fully committed to eradicating terrorism from the country and ensuring the protection of every citizen's life and property," he added.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti also 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.

The latest attack comes amid ongoing efforts by security forces through 'Operation Shaaban' and other intelligence-based operations (IBOs), to curb terrorism in Balochistan, where attacks against civilians and security personnel continue to pose serious challenges.

The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and the police are jointly conducting 'Operation Shaaban' against terrorists, carrying out coordinated ground and aerial operations following the terrorist attack in Mangi on July 5.

In the latest phase of 'Operation Shaaban', security forces killed four more terrorists in Saran Tangi, raising the number of terrorists neutralised during the operation to 71. Overall, 109 terrorists have been neutralised in various operations across Balochistan since July 5.

A large cache of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the slain militants, according to security sources. The seized items included M4 rifles, submachine guns (SMGs), rocket launchers, mobile phones and other equipment.

(WITH INPUT FROM OUR ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT)