In Pakistan, at least 22 people have been killed after their IDs were checked
In south-west Pakistan, gunmen have killed at least 22 people after forcing them out of their vehicles.
An attack occurred overnight on a highway in Balochistan province, where security forces are fighting sectarian, ethnic, and separatist violence.
Before setting the vehicles on fire, the armed men checked identity documents, allegedly targeting Punjabis.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Musa Khel.
Despite not giving further details, Mohsin Naqvi said security forces had killed 12 militants in operations after the attacks.
In the past 24 hours, the BLA has attacked multiple government installations - including police stations and security forces' camps.
Five of the dead were security personnel, and six bodies were found in another Balochistan district.
In Musa Khel, around 30 to 40 militants were involved, according to local official Najibullah Kakar.
AFP reported that 22 vehicles were stopped. Vehicles traveling to and from Punjab were inspected, and Punjabis were identified and shot.
According to news agency Reuters, the BLA targets military personnel traveling in civilian clothes.
BLA warned Baloch public to stay away from the highway before the attack, saying "we are fighting against the occupying Pakistani army".
"We have completely blocked all major highways across Balochistan," the statement said.
Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi described the attacks as "well-thought-out plans to create anarchy in Pakistan".
In a statement released by his office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed "deep grief and condemnation."
Despite having more resources than other provinces, Balochistan is the least developed province in Pakistan.
BLA and other Baloch separatists have intensified attacks on Punjabis and Sinhdis from elsewhere in Pakistan working in the region. They have also targeted foreign energy firms they accuse of exploiting the region without sharing the profits.
Nine passengers were shot dead after their IDs were checked after being offloaded from a bus in Balochistan this April.
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BLA has been designated a global terrorist organization by several Western countries, including the UK and US.