At least 25 passengers were abducted late Monday night after armed dacoits attacked a Quetta-bound passenger bus on Giddukshamore Road in Ghotki.
According to videos circulating on social media after 9:30 pm, the Sadabahar Company coach had departed from Sadiqabad at around 8:00 pm for Quetta. As the bus approached the Murid Shakh area, close to the M-5 Motorway and approximately 65 kilometres from Sadiqabad, it reportedly diverted toward Guddu. At that point, the attackers intercepted it.
Witnesses said around 15 armed dacoits, believed to be from the Katcha area, opened fire on the bus. They smashed its windows before boarding the vehicle.
گھوٹکی میں کچے کے ڈاکوؤں نے کوئٹہ جانے والی مسافر بس لوٹ لی، ڈاکو بس میں موجود مرد مسافروں کو ساتھ لے گئے pic.twitter.com/pwVQOhjlTd
— Ahmad Warraich (@ahmadwaraichh) December 15, 2025After storming the coach, the assailants ordered 25 male passengers to disembark. Women passengers were reportedly not harmed. The abducted passengers were then taken toward the riverine Katcha area, which is known for limited access and weak law enforcement presence.
During the firing, the bus driver sustained injuries. Though his condition was not immediately known. Police personnel later arrived at the scene and initiated a search and pursuit. However, there was no immediate confirmation of any recoveries or arrests.
Attempts to contact the district police spokesperson for an official statement were unsuccessful. Authorities are expected to launch a wider operation as concerns grow over the recurring threat of organised crime along highways near riverine border regions.
