Passenger bus attacked in Kalat, three killed, several injured

QUETTA: At least three people were killed and several others injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus in Balochistan’s Kalat district on Wednesday.

Police said the attack took place on the Quetta-Karachi highway, where assailants sprayed the vehicle with bullets. Seven injured passengers have been confirmed so far, with the death toll possibly rising.

Law enforcement personnel reached the scene shortly after the incident, collected forensic evidence, and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. The deceased were moved to the District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Authorities said an investigation was under way, while the Balochistan government strongly condemned the attack.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that atragic incident of firing occurred in the Nemargh area of Kalat, where a passenger coach travelling from Karachi to Quetta came under attack.

The spokesperson said that security forces, district administration, and rescue teams reached the site immediately.

The injured are being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kalat, where an emergency has been declared.

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Rind added that security forces have cordoned off the area and a search operation is underway.

The attackers are being pursued by the security personnel. In the unfortunate incident, three passengers were martyred and seven others injured.

قلات کے علاقے نمرغ میں کراچی سے کوئٹہ آنے والی مسافر کوچ پر فائرنگ کا افسوسناک واقعہ رونما ہوا ہے، ترجمان حکومت بلوچستان شاہد رند۔

ترجمان حکومت بلوچستان نے کہا کہ سیکیورٹی ادارے، ضلعی انتظامیہ اور ریسکیو ٹیمیں فوری طور پر جائے وقوعہ پر پہنچ چکی ہیں۔ زخمیوں کو ڈی ایچ کیو ہسپتال…

— Govt. of Balochistan (@dpr_gob) July 16, 2025

The incident comes days after nine passengers from Punjab were killed in a similar assault on two buses in Mastung district near the Zhob-Loralai border. Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind had blamed the July 11 attack on militants affiliated with what he termed “Fitna-e-Hindustan,” alleging Indian involvement in efforts to destabilise Pakistan.

PM, president condemn bus attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned the firing on the passenger bus in Kalat.

In a statement, the prime minister expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and directed authorities to ensure immediate medical aid to the injured.

“The terrorists will have to pay a heavy price. The government and security forces are determined to eliminate terrorism from the country,” he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari also strongly condemned the cowardly attack. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims.

“Targeting innocent citizens is a brutal and reprehensible act. Terrorists want to sabotage peace and stability. They are enemies of humanity and peace,” he said.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also denounced the attack, calling it a terrorist act.

He expressed deep grief over the deaths and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

“The terrorists of Fitna-ul-Hindustan are targeting peace and stability, but we will thwart every Indian-sponsored conspiracy in Pakistan,” he said.

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