Gunmen attack in Pakistan's Balochistan leaves 20 miners dead, 7 injured
PTC News Desk: Gunmen killed 20 miners and injured seven others in a brutal attack on a coal mine in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, according to local authorities. The attack occurred late Thursday night in the Duki district, just days before Pakistan is set to host the high-profile Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. The incident has sparked fears of escalating violence in the region ahead of the international event.
Police officer Hamayun Khan Nasir reported that the gunmen stormed the accommodations where the miners were staying, forced the workers to gather, and then opened fire on them indiscriminately. Most of the victims were from Pashtun-speaking areas of Balochistan, reflecting the region’s complex ethnic dynamics. Among the dead were three Afghan nationals, while four others from Afghanistan were seriously injured in the assault.
The incident took place in Duki, a remote area known for its coal mining operations. The miners were resting after a day’s work when the assailants attacked, making it difficult for anyone to defend themselves. The seven injured miners are receiving treatment at a local hospital, and their conditions remain critical, said local health officials.
The attack comes at a sensitive time, just days before Pakistan is set to host the SCO summit on October 16 and 17. The event will see participation from key global leaders, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The presence of such high-profile dignitaries has put the country on heightened security alert.
The SCO summit is a significant diplomatic event, as it will mark the first visit to Pakistan by an Indian foreign minister in nearly nine years. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to arrive on October 15, making it a notable moment for Indo-Pakistan relations. The last visit by an Indian foreign minister was in December 2015, when Sushma Swaraj traveled to Islamabad.
In preparation for the summit, security measures have been intensified across the capital and neighboring areas. According to ANI News, restaurants, wedding halls, cafes, and snooker clubs in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be temporarily closed from October 12 to 16 to ensure safety and reduce the risk of any untoward incidents.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and most resource-rich province, has long been a hotspot for separatist insurgencies. Several Baloch nationalist groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have been active in the region, demanding greater autonomy and accusing the central government of exploiting Balochistan’s mineral and oil wealth while marginalizing the local population.
While no group has claimed responsibility for Thursday night’s attack, Baloch separatist groups are suspected to be behind it, given the province’s history of insurgency. Just a few days prior, the BLA had claimed responsibility for an attack targeting Chinese nationals outside Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The group has been vocal about its opposition to foreign investments in the province, especially projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Thousands of Chinese workers are present in Pakistan, mainly in Balochistan, working on various BRI-related infrastructure and energy projects. These workers have increasingly become targets of militant groups who see them as symbols of exploitation and foreign interference.
The attack in Duki could complicate security arrangements for the SCO summit and potentially impact the stability of the region. Balochistan has seen a surge in violence in recent months, with militants frequently targeting security forces, workers, and foreign nationals. This latest assault underscores the ongoing volatility in Balochistan and the broader security challenges facing Pakistan.
Authorities are conducting an investigation into the attack and have launched a manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the government is under pressure to enhance security not just for the upcoming SCO summit, but also for vulnerable communities in conflict-prone areas like Balochistan.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling for stricter security measures and better protection for workers in remote areas. However, the road to peace and stability in Balochistan remains uncertain, as separatist groups continue to pose a formidable challenge to the state’s authority and the safety of its people.
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- With inputs from agencies
