QUETTA: Seven migrant workers were shot dead in Surbander, near Gwadar, police said Thursday. The men were killed late Wednesday at their home, 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Gwadar in Balochistan where major Chinese investment has funded a deepwater port.

Police said the men, who had migrated to the region and were working as barbers, were likely targeted for being Punjabi.

“We are investigating the matter at the moment but apparently it looks like they were attacked because they were Punjabis,” said Muhammad Mohsin, a senior police official in Gwadar, adding that six were killed and one was injured.

A second police official Zohaib Ahmad confirmed the death toll and said they were shot dead inside their home.—AFP

NNI ADDS: Police officials said all the five of the seven labourers belonged to Punjab city of Khanewal and two others were residents of Mian Channu.

According to police, the labourers were targeted by the militants as they were sleeping in their residential quarters in Sarbandar area near Gawadar Fish Harbour Jetty. Another labourer was injured in the incident.

According to Gwadar Police Station Station SHO Mohsin Ali, the deceased and the injured worked at a salon in Gwadar.

The police personnel shifted the dead bodies and the injured to a hospital in Gwadar.

Those who were killed in the targeted attack were working at a salon in the coastal city.

Police have launched an investigation and carried out raids to arrest the culprits.

According to reports, two of the slain labourers belonged to the city. They were identified as Ansar Abbas son of Haq Nawaz and resident of 89-15L and Asad son of Habib resident of 134-16L.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti strongly condemned the sad incident.

In a condemnation statement the chief minister said terrorists would be dealt with iron hands. He expressed sympathy with bereaved families.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the terrorist incident in Gwadar, expressing deep sorrow and regret over the killing of seven innocent people in the heinous act.

Mohsin Naqvi offered his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, saying he equally shares in the grief of the bereaved families.

The minister said beasts who play with the lives of innocent people do not deserve to be called human beings.

“We are committed to total elimination of the scourge of terrorism from the country,” he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024