The killing of five unarmed labourers in Mashkail, Washuk district, has once again highlighted the human cost of terrorism in Balochistan. The victims had travelled hundreds of kilometres from Punjab in search of work, hoping to support their families and build better futures. Instead, they returned home in coffins.
According to authorities, the victims were targeted by terrorists belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) while working in the border region of Mashkail.
For their families, the attack is more than another security incident—it is the loss of sons, brothers, and fathers whose only goal was to earn an honest living.
A Wedding Dream That Ended in Tragedy
Twenty-year-old Muhammad Bilal from Flood Colony, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, had spent nearly 13 months working in Mashkail.
His family says he had travelled to Balochistan to save enough money for his marriage.
His brother, Muhammad Asghar, recalled that Bilal was the youngest sibling and the family had promised to arrange his wedding once he had saved enough.
Instead of preparing for a wedding, the family was forced to prepare for his funeral.
Bilal’s uncle said he had accepted work in Balochistan because of steady employment and the relatively cooler weather compared to southern Punjab.
The family later received a call informing them that his body was being transported home.
His brother asked a heartbreaking question:
“What harm had Bilal ever done? He was an innocent labourer who only wanted to earn an honest living.”
Mohsin Raza Was in Balochistan for Only Three Weeks
Another victim, 18-year-old Mohsin Raza from Narowal, had arrived in Mashkail just three weeks before the attack.
His relatives had invited him to learn a trade and help improve the family’s financial condition.
According to his uncle, Mohsin was not even working at the location where the attack occurred. He had simply stopped by another shop to meet acquaintances when gunmen opened fire.
His family says he was speaking to them on the phone moments before the shooting.
The call suddenly turned into silence after gunfire echoed through the area.
Fourteen Years of Hard Work Ended in Seconds
Among those killed was 40-year-old Bilal Ghani, a resident of Basti Jatki, who had spent nearly 15 years working in Balochistan.
His father said Bilal was getting a shave at a barber shop when the attackers opened fire.
Now old he says no parent should ever have to bury a young son.
Labourers Who Left Home to Support Their Families
The victims shared similar stories.
They travelled to Balochistan for employment, hoping to provide better lives for their families.
None carried weapons.
None were involved in politics.
Their only purpose was to earn a livelihood.
The victims in Mashkail were fathers, sons, brothers, and future husbands whose lives ended while pursuing honest work.
Human Rights and the Need for Consistent Condemnation
The deliberate killing of unarmed civilians constitutes a serious violation of human rights and should be condemned without ambiguity by all who advocate for the protection of human life.
The silence of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), following the killing of these labourers has prompted questions among observers regarding the consistency of public responses to attacks on civilians. Many point out the selective outrage and support for terrorist groups by the BYC and HRCP. The BYC, in particular, has been acting as a political and public relations front for banned militant organisations operating in Balochistan.Several individuals previously highlighted by the group as victims of enforced disappearances were later identified as terrorists involved in terrorist attacks
Terrorism has inflicted lasting human, social, and economic costs on the people of Balochistan. Regardless of the perpetrators or victims, attacks targeting innocent civilians deepen suffering, undermine stability, and obstruct efforts toward lasting peace and development.
