ISLAMABAD: Five migrant workers who had travelled to Saranan in Balochistan for fruit trading were killed by terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan, security sources said.

According to initial information, the workers had travelled to Saranan for fruit trading when they were targeted by the terrorists, the sources said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the killing of the five workers and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

“Targeting innocent labourers is the height of brutality,” Naqvi said, describing the attack as a conspiracy to obstruct development and employment opportunities in Balochistan.

He said terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan did not deserve any concession.

Fitna al-Hindustan, the term used by Pakistani authorities for the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), has carried out terrorist attacks targeting civilians, security forces and economic infrastructure across Balochistan.

Security sources said the attack was part of efforts by terrorist elements to disrupt peace and security in Balochistan and hinder the province’s economic development.

They said attacks targeting commercial activities, transportation, and development projects were aimed at depriving the people of Balochistan of employment and economic opportunities.

The terrorists had previously targeted innocent civilians in attempts to spread fear and panic in the region, the sources said.

Experts said, according to sources, elements claiming to champion the rights of Baloch people were instead pursuing an agenda aligned with hostile interests and seeking to keep Balochistan underdeveloped.

They said the terrorists, facing setbacks at the hands of security forces, were increasingly targeting soft targets, including civilians engaged in economic activity.