KEY POINTS
- 20 miners were killed in an armed attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
- Authorities have launched a manhunt, but no group has claimed responsibility.
- The attack raises concerns about regional security and foreign investment.
Police reported Friday that unidentified gunmen had raided a coal mine in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan region, killing at least 20 miners and injuring seven more. The attack happened in the unstable Duki district, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
Miners targeted in brutal night raid
The assailants, armed with guns and explosives, launched their assault late Thursday night, targeting the miners’ accommodations.
Police official Hamayun Khan Nasir reported that the attackers rounded up the workers before opening fire, killing 20. The gunmen also fired rockets and grenades, damaging mining equipment before fleeing the scene.
According to Mining.com, authorities have launched a manhunt for the attackers, although no group has claimed responsibility. The incident is the deadliest in weeks and has triggered widespread condemnation.
Rising tensions amid economic and security concerns
The attack comes just days before a major security summit in Islamabad and amid a visit by a Saudi delegation eyeing mining investments in Pakistan.
The country recently signed $2 billion worth of agreements with Saudi businesses, including mining ventures.
Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, has long been a hotspot for separatist violence. Local insurgent groups accuse the federal government of exploiting the region’s resources without providing benefits to local communities.
Attacks on migrant workers, who are often employed in small, privately run mines, are common in the region.
The violence raises concerns about the security of foreign investments, especially in sectors like mining, which are critical to Pakistan’s economic recovery.
With Balochistan’s long-standing tensions showing no signs of easing, attacks like these pose significant challenges to both local authorities and foreign investors.
