The massacre occurred in Musakhail, a district in Balochistan province after the vehicles passed through a checkpoint in the area, police chief Ayub Achakzai told reporters.

The attackers burned at least 10 vehicles before fleeing the scene, the police chief added.

The press recalled that the attack took place some few hours after the Government-banned group, the Balochistan Liberation Army, warned the population to stay off the roads, although there has been no claim of responsibility so far.

Pakistani authorities, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, described the attack as barbaric and vowed to punish those responsible.

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