At least 26 Shiite pilgrims were killed and more than a dozen injured when unknown armed men ambushed their bus at Mastung area in Balochistan, ARY NEWS reports.
Police said the bus, carrying more than 60 Shiite pilgrims, was going to Pak-Iran border city, Taftan, from Quetta when it was attacked near Lak Pass area of Mastung district, some 67 kilometers from provincial capital, Quetta.
Deputy Commissioner Mastung, while talking to newsmen, said at least four gunmen on motorbikes stopped the bus and opened fire on the vehicle, adding that they fearlessly continued raining bullets for more than 10 minutes before fleeing the scene.
Those dead and injured were shifted to Bolan Medical Complex and civil hospital Quetta where emergency was declared and extra staff was called in. Medics say score of the injured were in critical condition.
Nato supply tankers and convoys of Shiite pilgrims heading to Iranian cities are frequently attacked by militants on the route near Mastung and other border areas, mostly due to poor security arrangements.
Mastung is a district located in the north west of Balochistan province, while Taftan is a town located in Chagai district of Balochistan. It is Pakistan's only legal official border crossing into Iran, over 600 km from Quetta.
Mastung is also native town of Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Aslam Raisani.
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