QUETTA (AFP) – Six migrant workers were shot dead in southwestern Pakistan, police said yesterday, in a region where militants have long waged ethnic violence against outsiders.
The men were killed late on Wednesday at their home, 25 kilometres from Gwadar in Balochistan province where major Chinese investment has funded a port.
Police said the men, who had migrated to the region and were working as barbers, were likely targeted for being Punjabi, the most populous and influential ethnic group in Pakistan.
“We are investigating the matter at the moment but apparently it looks like they were attacked because they were Punjabis,” said senior police official in Gwadar Muhammad Mohsin adding that six were killed and one was injured.
A second police official Zohaib Ahmad confirmed the death toll and said they were shot dead inside their home.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, despite an abundance of natural resources.
Militants have in the past targeted ethnic Punjabis and Sindhis, as well as foreign interests that they believe are exploiting the region without sharing its riches.
