Mastung tragedy death toll rises to 22; seven terrorists killed in FC operation

MASTUNG (92 News) – Another victim of the Mastung tragedy succumbed to his wounds, raising death toll to 22. Twenty people were killed and several injured when some 20 unidentified armed men kidnapped 25 passengers of two Karachi-bound buses in Mastung. The bereaved families staged a sit-in with the bodies outside the CM House. They also tried to enter the CM House. However, they dispersed when the police resorted to shelling. A complete shutdown was observed in Qila Abdullah and Pashin. Meanwhile, seven terrorists were killed in an operation by the FC after the incident. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti told media that the armed men intercepted the buses and ordered passengers to alight. He said they searched the passengers and after identification took them away towards nearby a mountainous range. The minister said law enforcement agencies, including Frontier Corps, Police and Levies Force, launched an operation to trace the passengers. Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has strongly condemned the incident and directed the authorities to ensure immediate and safe recovery of the passengers. He has declared three-day mourning in the province.