Barkhan Massacre Adds to Escalating Violence in Pakistan's Southwest
Quetta, Pakistan (February 18, 2025) – Seven passengers were ruthlessly shot dead late on Tuesday night when unidentified armed men intercepted a Lahore-bound bus in the Barkhan area of Balochistan. The attack, which occurred at a time when the province is facing a rising wave of militant attacks, has evoked nationwide condemnation.
Details of the Attack
According to local officials, at least 40 heavily armed militants stopped multiple buses and vehicles on the Barkhan-Dera Ghazi Khan Highway, checking passengers' national identity cards before forcibly removing seven individuals. The deceased, all from Punjab province, were shot dead at point-blank range as their attackers quickly fled the scene.
"The assailants particularly targeted passengers from Punjab and left others," Deputy Commissioner Waqar Khurshid Alam said. Authorities said that no organization has officially claimed responsibility, but suspicions immediately turned to Baloch separatist militants, which have stepped up attacks on civilians and security forces in recent months.
A Troubled Province: Balochistan's Insurgency
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, has been a hub of violence due to its strategic location and rich natural resources. The province shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran and is the locale of China-sponsored mega development projects, making it a hotbed of insurgency, ethnic conflict, and geopolitical rivalries.
Separatist militant groups, such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have waged an armed insurgency against the Pakistani state for greater autonomy and control over local resources.
There has been a recent spate of deadly attacks as insurgents have attacked civilians, police, and Chinese nationals engaged in work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment project under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.
Other Recent Attacks in Balochistan
This massacre is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Balochistan:
- February 14, 2025 – A roadside bomb explosion in Harnai district killed 11 coal miners and injured five others.
- January 30, 2025 – Armed militants ambushed a security convoy in Turbat, killing six Pakistani soldiers.
- December 2024 – The BLA claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed three Chinese engineers in Gwadar.
Read more about Balochistan's insurgency here.
Pakistani Government's Response
Following Tuesday's attack, security forces launched a large-scale operation in Barkhan to trace the militants. No arrests have been made, however.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah condemned the killings as an "act of terror intended to destabilize Pakistan." He vowed to eliminate militant sanctuaries and increase security patrols in insurgency-torn regions.
"We will not allow terrorists to impose fear in Balochistan," he told an emergency news conference.
Growing Risk to Chinese Interests
China, which has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan's energy and infrastructure projects, has frequently expressed concern over growing security threats in Balochistan. The Gwadar Port, a flagship component of CPEC, has been repeatedly attacked by militants.
The Chinese government has urged Pakistan to enhance security for its workers and projects, warning that continued attacks could impact future investments.
Read China's latest statement on security concerns in Pakistan.
International Reactions
The United Nations, human rights organizations, and foreign diplomats have condemned the Barkhan attack, calling for increased counter-terrorism operations.
Meanwhile, social media has been awash with hashtags like #BalochistanAttacks and #JusticeForVictims, as citizens demanded more decisive government action against militants.
Conclusion
The Barkhan massacre underscores the intensifying tide of insurgency in Balochistan, posing a serious challenge to Pakistan's security forces and allies abroad. With no claims of responsibility yet, the attack serves to focus attention on the province's ongoing instability and the urgent need for effective counterterrorism operations.
For latest updates, visit Pakistan's News Portal.