QUETTA: Nineteen people were reportedly killed while another was injured Friday night when unknown militants opened fire at kidnapped passengers in Mastung area of Balochistan.

Earlier in the evening, suspected militants had abducted two passenger buses en route Karachi from Pishin.

Levies official Sanaullah, said miscreants stopped two passengers coaches at Khad Kucha area of Mastung. He said the passengers were taken out from coaches and armed men opened fire at them.

In a statement, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed that 19 passengers had been killed by the militants. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the murders.

Soon after reports of abduction emerged, police and Frontier Corps official rushed to the area and there were reports of heavy exchange of fire between security forces and the kidnappers.

The actual number of abducted passengers has not been confirmed yet. But sources estimate there were around 20 total passengers travelling in the two coaches.

Meanwhile, DCO Mastung claimed that 15 to 20 militants had abducted around 35 passengers.

Five passengers were released by militants, the Levies official said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed concern over the kidnapping of bus passengers in Balochistan and sought a report into the incident. He directed authorities to take every possible step to rescue those abducted.