In yet another grim reminder of the security challenges facing Balochistan, nine innocent passengers were brutally killed by terrorists late Thursday night in the Loralai district. The attackers, reportedly affiliated with the India-backed militant group “Fitna al-Hindustan”, intercepted buses near the Sardhaka area, forcibly removed selected passengers after checking their identity cards, and executed them on the spot.
Local officials confirmed the horror. Speaking to media, Loralai Commissioner Saadat Hussain shared harrowing details of the incident. “The terrorists stopped the buses, lined up the passengers, and shot them in cold blood after verifying their identities. It was a merciless act,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Balochistan government, Shahid Rind, condemned the attack in strong terms. “This was a brutal and premeditated assault on innocent Pakistanis by Fitna al-Hindustan — a group known to be sponsored by hostile foreign agencies to destabilize Balochistan,” he said. “Their cruelty knows no bounds.”
The term Fitna al-Hindustan has recently been used by officials to refer to Indian-sponsored terrorist outfits allegedly operating covertly in the region to fuel unrest and division.
Security forces, according to officials, responded swiftly and launched a search operation in the area. Although the attackers managed to flee under the cover of darkness, Rind assured that forces were in pursuit and remained on high alert.
“This attack is not just on the victims — it’s an assault on the peace, unity, and sovereignty of Pakistan,” Rind added. “We will not let their sinister designs succeed. Our resolve to protect our people is stronger than ever.”
The tragic incident has sparked outrage across the province, with citizens and civil society groups calling for enhanced security measures on highways and stricter monitoring of terrorist activity in remote areas.
As the country mourns yet another senseless loss of life, questions loom large over the safety of ordinary people in conflict-prone regions like Balochistan. For now, the grief is raw, and the demand for justice is loud.
