Hazara youth killed by BLA terrorists in an ambush in Bolan, Pakistan

An 18-year-old Hazara youth was killed and two others were seriously injured when gunmen opened fire on a group of young people returning to Quetta from a picnic in the Bolan area of Balochistan, local reports said on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Mustafa, son of Nadir Ali. He and five companions, all residents of Quetta’s Hazara community, were travelling back to the city when their vehicle came under attack while passing through Bolan. Two members of the group sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. The remaining members of the six-person party survived.

Initial reports described the attackers as members of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). However, official confirmation identifying the perpetrators had not been issued at the time of publication. The incident is under investigation.

Emergency teams recovered Mustafa’s body and shifted the injured to hospital shortly after the shooting. Following a post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to his family for burial. Police and administrative officials cordoned off the area and launched a search operation for those responsible.

The attack has renewed concerns about the safety of civilians travelling through Bolan, a key corridor linking Quetta with other parts of Balochistan. The wider Bolan-Mach area has previously seen deadly attacks on members of the Hazara community, including the January 2021 killing of 11 Hazara coal miners in Machh.

The shooting comes amid a broader rise in militant activity across Balochistan. Security forces have conducted multiple intelligence-based operations in recent weeks in districts including Kachhi, Chagai, Kalat and Nushki. On October 1, forces reported killing six militants in an operation in Sanni, Kachhi, and recovering weapons and ammunition.

Police and security officials are continuing the investigation and search for the attackers. The killing of Mustafa has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Hazara civilians on remote routes that have previously been targeted by militants.