Five labourers from Punjab were shot dead after armed militants opened fire on shops in Balochistan’s Washuk district on Sunday, in the latest attack targeting civilians amid ongoing counterterrorism operations in the province.
According to local authorities, the attack occurred in Mashkel town, near the Pakistan-Iran border, where gunmen riding motorcycles opened fire on shops where the workers were employed. All five men suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene before the attackers fled.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the killings, describing the attack as “an extremely barbaric and cowardly act.” He blamed India-backed terrorist groups for the violence and vowed that such attacks would not weaken Pakistan’s resolve against terrorism.
The incident comes as security forces continue Operation Shaban and other counterterrorism operations across Balochistan. Officials say 109 militants have been killed since July 5, while authorities have also detained 108 suspects in ongoing security operations across the province.
The attack has once again highlighted persistent security challenges in Balochistan, where militants have repeatedly targeted civilians, security personnel and workers from other provinces.