Wed Feb 19 11:04:53 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Bus Attack: Seven Punjab Residents Killed in Balochistan

**Quetta, Pakistan – February 19, 2025** – Seven passengers were shot dead on a bus in Balochistan, southwest Pakistan, after gunmen identified them as being from Punjab province. The attack, which occurred late Tuesday, saw the attackers puncture the bus tires before boarding and demanding passengers’ identification cards. Those identified as being from Punjab were subsequently executed.

The incident highlights the escalating violence in Balochistan, a region plagued by decades-long sectarian, ethnic, and separatist conflicts. Attacks on security forces and ethnic groups, particularly those from Punjab – Pakistan’s most populous province – have sharply increased in recent years. While no group has claimed responsibility, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, is suspected. The BLA has been responsible for numerous attacks in recent months, including a January bombing and a November attack on Quetta’s main railway station. Their attacks often target energy projects with foreign investment, accusing outsiders of exploiting the region’s resources.

According to reports, at least 67 people have been killed in violence since January 1st, the majority being security forces personnel. Last year was the deadliest in a decade, with over 1,600 deaths, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies. Despite the violence, the Champions Trophy cricket tournament is set to begin in Pakistan today, with enhanced security measures in place for visiting international teams. The violence is largely concentrated in border regions near Afghanistan, with attacks in major cities being relatively rare.

Read More