Five labourers killed as gunmen attack road construction site in Pishin

Five road construction workers were killed and another critically injured on Monday when heavily armed attackers opened fire on a construction site in Saranan Sulemanzai area of Pishin in Balochistan, targeting labourers and heavy machinery assigned to a double-road project. The assault drew sharp condemnation from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, who expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. CM Bugti affirmed that attacks targeting workers and vital development projects would not be allowed to disrupt peace in the province.  Echoing the Chief Minister's stance, Shahid Rind, Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Political Affairs, condemned the incident in strong terms. "The targeting of innocent and hard-working labourers is clear proof of the terrorists' utter brutality," Rind stated. "These workers were actively contributing to the construction and development of our province. Attacking individuals earning an honest living is a grave crime against humanity." Rind added that the perpetrators would not succeed in their objectives. "Terrorists cannot shatter the peace, development, or unyielding resolve of the people of Balochistan. The elements involved in this attack will be brought to justice at all costs," he vowed, emphasising that state institutions and the public stand united against terrorism. The deadly ambush follows an incident just days earlier in which armed terrorists stormed Saranan and blew up the local police station using explosives. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the police station attack. Authorities have launched a security operation in the area to track down those responsible for Monday's bloodshed.