Five Punjab labourers killed in targeted Mashkail gun attack

• Gunmen storm barber shops in Washuk’s Mashkail area, killing five workers in targeted attack before fleeing

• Security forces launch massive search operation as investigators pursue multiple leads into deadly attack

• CM Bugti says terrorists targeted Pakistan’s unity, vows the state will bring every attacker and facilitator to justice

 QUETTA: Five labourers from Punjab were shot dead in a targeted attack after unidentified gunmen stormed barber shops in the Mashkail area of Balochistan's Washuk district on Sunday, prompting a large-scale search operation by security forces, with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and reaffirmed the state's resolve to defeat terrorism.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed the incident, saying the victims were working at barber shops when armed assailants stormed the area and opened indiscriminate fire.

“All five men died on the spot, while the attackers fled before security personnel arrived,” he added.

In Balochistan, five labourers were martyred in a cowardly attack by Fitna al Hindustan terrorists in Mashkil area of Washuk district @OfficialDGISPR #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/GEBZ4ooTno pic.twitter.com/D09yBVPIRf

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 12, 2026

Deputy Commissioner Washuk Majid Sarparah said the victims belonged to different districts of Punjab and had travelled to Mashkail for work. Their bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities before being sent to their native towns.

“Five laborers were killed in the latest targeted killings,” Washuk Superintendent of Police Javed Zehri told Arab News.

“They belonged to various districts of Punjab province.”

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the region has frequently witnessed kidnappings and attacks targeting foreign nationals, infrastructure projects, security forces, police and non-native Pakistanis, whom separatists accuse of spying for the state.

Police and security forces cordoned off the area soon after the attack and launched a search operation to trace those responsible. Investigators are collecting evidence as authorities pursue multiple leads to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the killings, describing the attack on innocent workers as a cowardly act. He expressed grief over the loss of lives, extended condolences to the bereaved families, and directed law enforcement agencies to bring the attackers to justice without delay.

In a separate post on X, the Balochistan chief minister said: “I strongly condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal killing of unarmed and innocent workers in Mashkail. This was not Baloch targeting Punjabis; it was terrorists targeting Pakistanis. This attack is an assault on Pakistan's unity and national solidarity. The terrorists, cloaked in the false garb of freedom, have once again been unmasked. The state will bring every terrorist and their facilitators to justice. Pakistan has never bowed before terrorism and never will.”

ماشکیل میں نہتے اور بے گناہ مزدوروں کے بہیمانہ قتل کی شدید ترین الفاظ میں مذمت کرتا ہوں۔ یہ بلوچوں نے پنجابیوں کو نہیں، دہشت گردوں نے پاکستانیوں کو نشانہ بنایا ہے یہ حملہ پاکستان کی وحدت اور قومی یکجہتی پر حملہ ہے آزادی کا جھوٹا لبادہ اوڑھنے والے دہشت گرد ایک بار پھر بے نقاب ہو…

— Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) July 12, 2026

Officials said security had been tightened across the area, while the investigation into the incident remained underway.

The latest attack came amid ongoing efforts by security forces to curb militancy in Balochistan, where incidents targeting civilians and security personnel have continued to pose serious security challenges.

 

President, PM condemn 'barbaric' attack

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident, describing the attack as a "barbaric and cowardly act."

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said targeting innocent and defenceless labourers was an inhumane crime.

"Targeting innocent and unarmed labourers is an extremely barbaric and cowardly act, which cannot be condemned enough," the prime minister said.

He added that those involved in such "crimes against humanity" deserved no leniency.

The prime minister said terrorists were targeting innocent civilians to pursue their objectives, but such attacks would not weaken the nation's resolve against terrorism.

"The government and security forces remain fully committed to eliminating terrorism from the country and protecting the lives and property of every citizen," he said.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, President Asif Ali Zardari described the targeting of innocent civilians and labourers as "open barbarity."

صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری کا بلوچستان کی ضلع واشک کے علاقے ماشکیل میں معصوم مزدوروں پر دہشت گرد حملے کی شدید مذمت۔

صدرِ مملکت کا دہشت گرد حملے میں قیمتی جانوں کے ضیاع پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار، شہداء کے اہلِ خانہ سے دلی ہمدردی اور تعزیت۔

معصوم شہریوں اور محنت کش مزدوروں کو…

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 12, 2026

He said such "cowardly attacks" would not weaken the nation's resolve against terrorism.

"Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists and their facilitators will be brought before the law," he said.

The president reaffirmed the state's commitment to protecting the lives and property of its citizens, saying all necessary measures would continue to be taken to ensure public security.

He also prayed for the departed souls and expressed hope that the victims' families would be granted strength and patience to bear their irreparable loss.