A brutal attack on a coal mine in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province has left 20 miners dead and seven others wounded, local police official Hamayun Khan Nasir reported on Friday. The assault comes just days before a major Asian security summit is set to take place in the capital, Islamabad.
The gunmen stormed the miners’ accommodation in the Duki district late Thursday night, rounding up the workers before opening fire. The attackers also reportedly fired rockets and lobbed grenades, damaging mine machinery before fleeing the scene.
Most victims were from Pashtun-speaking areas of Balochistan, with three of the dead and four of the wounded identified as Afghan nationals. The attack has sparked local outrage, with shop owners in the area shuttering their businesses in a day-long strike to protest the killings.
While no group has claimed immediate responsibility, suspicion falls on the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), known for targeting civilians and security forces. The BLA launched multiple attacks in August, killing over 50 people, including 23 individuals from Punjab province who were fatally shot after being taken from vehicles in Musakhail district.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the incident, vowing to eliminate terrorism. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, stating, “The killing of these innocent laborers will be avenged.”
The violence occurs against a backdrop of ongoing separatist tensions in Balochistan, where groups accuse the federal government of unfairly exploiting the region’s rich mineral resources. The attack also raises concerns about security ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Islamabad, prompting increased troop deployments in the capital.
This incident follows a recent BLA-claimed attack on Chinese nationals outside Pakistan’s largest airport, underscoring the challenges faced by Pakistani forces in protecting high-profile events and foreign workers involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative projects.
As authorities grapple with the aftermath of this latest attack, the incident casts a shadow over recent economic developments, including the signing of $2 billion worth of investment agreements between Saudi and Pakistani businessmen, some of which involve mining projects in Balochistan.
The ongoing violence in Balochistan continues to pose significant challenges for Pakistan’s security apparatus and economic aspirations, particularly concerning international investments and regional stability.
AP
