On February 19, 2025, a brutal attack in Barkhan, Balochistan, claimed the lives of seven passengers who were forcibly removed from a bus traveling from Quetta to Lahore. The assailants set up a checkpoint near the Rarkan area, where they stopped the bus, checked passengers’ identity cards, and executed seven individuals from Punjab.
The victims have been identified as Muhammad Ishaq, Ashiq Hussain, Asim Ali, Adnan Mustafa, and Muhammad Ajmal. Their bodies were shifted to Rakni Hospital, where an emergency was declared.
Read more: Three Policemen Martyred in Karak Checkpost Attack
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly denounced the attack, calling it a cowardly act carried out by enemies of peace. He stressed that targeting innocent and unarmed civilians is unacceptable and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice. Security forces, including FC and Levies, arrived at the scene and have launched an operation to track down the perpetrators.
This attack resembles a previous incident on August 26, 2024, when militants in the Musakhail district of Balochistan stopped vehicles, identified individuals from Punjab, and killed 23 passengers. These recurring attacks have heightened concerns about travel safety in the region and underline the persistent security challenges in Balochistan.
Authorities are actively working to capture the attackers and ensure justice for the victims.
