Gunmen Kill Nine Passengers After Kidnapping in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Kokcha News Agency reports that nine passengers, kidnapped from multiple buses in Balochistan, Pakistan, have been killed by unidentified gunmen. According to provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind, the kidnappings occurred late on Thursday evening. The victims’ bodies, bearing bullet wounds, were discovered in mountainous areas the following morning, as stated by government official Naveed Alam.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Historically, separatist Baloch militants, including the Baloch Liberation Army—the most prominent insurgent group in the region—have been linked to similar incidents. These militants often target passengers they identify as coming from Punjab province, accusing authorities of resource theft to fund developments there.

Baloch militants, including the Baloch Liberation Army, operate in the resource-rich border regions adjoining Afghanistan and Iran. They espouse a regional nationalist cause, blaming the Pakistani government for exploiting local resources and supporting economic disparities, which fuels ongoing conflict and insurgency.

The recent attack adds to the long-standing tensions in Balochistan, where insurgent groups demand greater autonomy and control over local wealth, accusing Islamabad of marginalization and resource theft.