CM Bugti says no mercy for terrorists after passenger killings in Balochistan

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on Friday asserted that those responsible for the brutal killing of nine passengers near Zhob’s Sardhaka area deserve no leniency, condemning the attack as an unforgivable crime against innocent civilians.

Chairing a high-level law and order meeting in Quetta, the chief minister was briefed by Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari on the incident.

According to the post-meeting handout, CM Bugti directed security agencies to ensure that all terrorists involved in the incident are brought to justice.

He vowed to relentlessly pursue those responsible and stated that no leniency would be shown to the perpetrators. 

“Those who murder innocent people will be hunted to the last man,” the chief minister said.

Bodies handed over

The provincial government has officially confirmed that armed assailants stopped passenger coaches in Sardhaka, removed passengers, and selectively identified and executed nine individuals, all of whom were residents of Punjab.

The bodies were later handed over to local officials at the Balochistan–Punjab border, according to the commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan.

Bugti labelled the killings an “unforgivable crime” and reiterated his government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from the province.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said the attack was linked to Indian-backed proxies, specifically Fitna al-Hindustan, which has targeted civilians in past attacks as well.

He confirmed that separate attacks in Mastung, Kalat, and Saradagai were thwarted earlier in the day by security forces.

He further stated that while general terror alerts had been issued, there was no direct threat to the Sardhaka area at the time of the incident.

The attack follows a growing trend of cross-border terrorism in Balochistan, particularly after Pakistan’s recent military victory over India.

Earlier on Friday, the army’s top leadership had vowed decisive and holistic action at all levels against Indian-backed proxies operating inside Pakistan.