Gunmen carried out a brutal attack in southwest Pakistan, leaving at least 22 people dead and 5 others injured. The incident took place in the Musakhail district of Balochistan province. 

The assailants targeted vehicles on a highway connecting Punjab with Balochistan, forcing individuals out and checking their ethnicity before opening fire.

Government officials revealed that the victims were mostly Punjabi labourers, with 19 Punjabis and 3 Baloch among the casualties.

"At least 22 people were killed and 5 injured when operatives stopped several busses, trucks and vans on a highway connecting Puniab with Balochistan," said Najibullah Kakar, a senior official in Musakhail. 

"Vehicles travelling to and from Punjab were inspected, and individuals from Punjab were identified and shot," he added.

Another official, Hameed Zehri, pointed towards the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as the likely perpetrator behind the violent attack.

"It seems that the BLA (Baloch Liberation Army) terrorists are behind the incident." he said.