19 bus passengers killed

Armed men have killed at least 19 passengers after forcing them off buses travelling from the western Pakistani city of Quetta to Karachi in the Balochistan province, authorities say.

                      

“The attackers forced the buses to stop, abducted more than two dozen passengers, and then shot at least 19 dead,” said Ismail Ibrahim, a senior official in the province.

The attack occurred late on Friday in the town of Mastung, around 40km south of Quetta.

“The armed men were wearing the uniforms of the security forces,” Sarfaraz Bugti, Balochistan’s home minister, said.

The bodies of 19 passengers had been found so far in nearby hills, officials said.

Akbar Harifal, deputy district commissioner, said security forces had rescued five passengers after an exchange of fire.

“Police and paramilitary have cordoned off the area and an exchange of fire is still ongoing,” he said.