Escalating Insurgent Violence in Balochistan: Over 30 Killed in Coordinated Attacks

At least 33 people were killed in two separate, coordinated attacks by heavily-armed insurgents in Pakistan's Balochistan province. The violence was reportedly ethnically targeted. Authorities, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attacks and vowed to bring the culprits to justice. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for one attack.

At least 33 people lost their lives in Balochistan province, Pakistan, in two separate attacks carried out by heavily-armed gunmen. The coordinated assaults took place on Monday, with insurgent activity spiking in the troubled region.

In the first incident, gunmen targeted 23 people in Musakhel district. Passengers from Punjab province were offloaded from buses, their identities checked, and then shot dead. Senior Superintendent of Police Ayub Khoso confirmed that most victims were from southern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, indicating ethnic targeting.

A separate attack in Qalat district claimed 10 lives, including four police officers. Security sources highlighted multiple terrorist activities in the region over the night of August 24 and 25. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the Musakhel attack. High-ranking officials condemned the violence and committed to delivering justice.

(With inputs from agencies.)