BLA Attacks in Balochistan Leave Over 50 Dead, Highlighting Escalating Violence in Pakistan
August 27, 2024A separatist group, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), has claimed responsibility for a series of brutal attacks in Balochistan, Pakistan, resulting in over 50 deaths, primarily among civilians.
Witnesses reported that gunmen forced passengers off local transportation before executing some individuals, highlighting the violence's brutality.
Most victims were identified as Punjabi laborers, along with two paramilitary soldiers, according to local officials.
In one major attack, at least 23 passengers died when various vehicles were targeted on a highway, with 35 vehicles set ablaze.
Emergency services were deployed to assist survivors and recover bodies, while government spokesman Nasir Shah confirmed arrangements for returning the deceased to their families.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that police could handle the insurgents without the need for a large-scale military operation.
The ongoing violence has contributed to two coups in 2022, with the military junta struggling to restore security despite seeking new partnerships.
Over the past eight years, more than 20,000 civilians and security forces have been killed due to escalating violence in the region.
This incident raises alarms about the safety of travelers in Pakistan, particularly in regions prone to violence.
Iran frequently experiences severe accidents during travel seasons, raising concerns about road safety.
In a separate incident, a bus accident in the Kahuta district of eastern Punjab province claimed 24 lives, including women and a child.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences over the tragic events and called for quality medical care for the injured.
Summary based on 63 sources
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Sources
BBC News • Aug 23, 2024
Nepal bus accident: Fourteen dead after Indian vehicle falls into riverBBC News • Aug 26, 2024
Pakistan: At least 22 killed after having IDs checked in BalochistanBBC News • Aug 21, 2024
Bus crash in Iran kills 28 Pakistani pilgrims