Gunmen kill nine after abducting them in southwestern Pakistan

Gunmen shot dead nine men after abducting them from a bus in Balochistan province in Pakistan's southwest, a report by the news agency Reuters on Saturday (Apr 13) said. Speaking to Reuters, a police official said that several gunmen intercepted the Iran-bound bus in Noshki district, taking the men with them after determining they were from the eastern province of Punjab.

The victims were shot at close range, the police official added.

According to District Deputy Commissioner Habibullah Musakhail, the bodies of the victims were found beneath a bridge one and a half hours after the attack. No one has claimed responsibility for the killings so far.

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Separatist ethnic Baloch militant groups in the mineral-rich region have been fighting for decades against Pakistan, saying that the country has denied them their share of regional resources.

Friday night's attack in Balochistan came as ethnic Baloch insurgents have previously claimed responsibility for similar killings in the region.

Balochistan is home to the Gwadar seaport being developed by China. The insurgents have also targeted Chinese nationals and their interests.

This attack also comes weeks after five Chinese engineers were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into their convoy at Dasu on March 26. China joined the investigation into the suicide attack.

Chinese contractors suspended work on three hydropower projects given security concerns after the attack.

(With inputs from agencies)