On Friday, a violent attack by armed militants on private coal mines in the Duki area of Balochistan, Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of at least 21 miners. Approximately 40 attackers, equipped with guns, rockets, and grenades, stormed the mining site in the early hours, catching many miners while they were asleep. Reports indicate that the assailants executed some miners by lining them up and shooting them, while others were killed in their quarters.
The attackers remained at the scene for about an hour and a half, during which they indiscriminately fired at the mines and the miners’ living quarters, setting fire to all ten mines and destroying equipment and machinery. Among the deceased were four Afghan nationals, highlighting the peril faced by migrant workers in the region. Six others were injured in the attack. Following the violence, local businesses and shops closed in Duki, where residents gathered to protest and demand justice, urging authorities to apprehend the attackers. Mine owner Khairullah Nasar noted that while they had received threats from militants, there was no specific warning about the impending attack.
Balochistan has a long history of violence, driven by a separatist insurgency seeking a larger share of the region’s mineral resources. The province has also seen a rise in attacks on migrant workers and foreign nationals. In the months leading up to this incident, several attacks targeting both local and foreign workers had occurred, including a recent attack that resulted in the deaths of Chinese nationals in Karachi.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, emphasizing the government’s commitment to combatting terrorism and pledging a thorough investigation into the incident. He described the killings as an inhuman act and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. This tragic incident underscores the precarious situation in Balochistan, where ongoing violence poses a significant threat to workers’ lives and exacerbates regional instability. The international community and local authorities are monitoring the situation closely, seeking to address the root causes of such violence and ensure the safety of individuals in the area.
