Over 70 Civilians Dead in 24 Hours: Pakistan’s Highways in Peril

In just 24 hours, over 70 civilians lost their lives to coordinated attacks on Pakistan’s highways, underscoring severe lapses in security.

At a Glance

Gunmen killed at least 31 people in two separate attacks in Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Security forces killed 12 insurgents in response to the attacks.
23 people were taken from buses and trucks and murdered in Musakhail district; attackers also burned 10 vehicles.
In Qalat district, gunmen killed nine people, including police officers and passersby.
Insurgents orchestrated multiple attacks, including blowing up a railway track and assaulting a police station.

Massacres Across Baluchistan

Baluchistan, Pakistan’s southwestern province, witnessed an unprecedented wave of bloodshed as armed attackers launched assaults on vehicles, killing over 70 civilians. In Musakhail district, gunmen forcibly removed 23 people from buses and trucks, executing them on the spot. The assailants set 10 vehicles ablaze, adding to the chaos and destruction.

In Qalat district, gunmen launched another attack, ending the lives of nine individuals, including four police officers and five passersby. The brutality of these events highlights the ongoing struggles within Baluchistan, where separatist insurgencies frequently target both civilians and infrastructure to destabilize the region.

Pakistan: Over 70 Dead As Gunmen Storm Highways, Execute Civilians In 24 Hours Of Terror https://t.co/sdbnrgepXa

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) August 27, 2024

Government and Security Forces Respond

In response to these horrifying attacks, security forces engaged the insurgents, resulting in the deaths of 12 attackers. Despite these efforts, the ease with which gunmen executed these coordinated attacks reveals significant flaws in the current security measures. The government immediately condemned the attacks and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The perpetrators of this incident of terrorism and their facilitators will be punished,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated.

The Baluch Liberation Army (BLA), a key separatist group, had previously warned civilians to avoid highways, though they have not officially claimed responsibility for this bloodbath. Separatist groups in the region have a history of targeting non-Baluch individuals, particularly those from Punjab, with the aim of driving them out of the province.

At least 73 people have been killed in a series of attacks in southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province. Pakistan's military says gunmen targeted police stations, civilians, railway lines, and highways. pic.twitter.com/vbjn3sUKEm

— CGTN Global Watch (@GlobalWatchCGTN) August 27, 2024

Continuing Violence and Unrest

Baluchistan’s long-standing insurgency, driven by separatist demands for independence, perpetuates a cycle of violence that the central government has struggled to contain. President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi labeled the attacks as “barbaric” and promised that justice would be served. Despite these assurances, the persistent violence serves as a stark reminder of the dire need for more effective security solutions.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted and the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators, and abettors of these heinous and cowardly acts targeting innocent civilians will be brought to justice,” the military stated.

The stakes are high, not only for the locals but for the entire nation, as a secure and stable Baluchistan is crucial for Pakistan’s overall stability and progress. The continuous attacks, such as a separate bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed four people, clearly indicate that militant threats remain ever-present. Without robust and immediate measures, Pakistan may face increased turmoil and devastation.