Maps
Magazine

CRIME

20 Miners Killed, 7 Injured in Armed Attack on Balochistan Coal Mine
Armed men attacked a coal mine in Duki, killing at least 20 miners and injuring 7. Authorities are investigating, with no group claiming responsibility yet.
ND
by News Desk
2024-10-11
20 Miners Killed, 7 Injured in Armed Attack on Balochistan Coal Mine

At least 20 miners were killed and seven others injured in a brutal attack by armed men on a private coal mine in the Duki area of Balochistan on Friday, police confirmed. The attackers targeted the Junaid Coal Company using heavy weaponry, including rockets and grenades, in the early morning hours.

 

Station House Officer (SHO) Humayun Khan said that a group of armed men stormed the coal mine, launching a violent assault with heavy weapons. The attack caused significant devastation, as the attackers not only killed the miners but also set fire to ten coal engines and other machinery.

 

The death toll was confirmed by Dr. Johar Khan Shadizai, who said, “We have received 20 bodies and six injured so far at the district hospital.” The injured were later transferred to Loralai Tehsil Headquarters for treatment.

 

The victims of this tragedy hailed from different regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, as stated by Duki Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kaleemullah Kakar. Despite the quick response from the district administration, police, and Frontier Corps (FC), the attackers managed to flee the scene. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

DC Kakar confirmed that a joint operation involving local authorities was conducted to recover the bodies and assess the damage. He reassured the public that the district administration, along with the FC and police, is working to control the situation. The Counter-Terrorism Department will lead the investigation into the incident.

 

Condemnations and National Response

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the attack, instructing the authorities to ensure top medical treatment for the injured and a full investigation. “Our resolve to eliminate terrorism remains strong,” said Sharif, as he reiterated his commitment to ridding Pakistan of extremism.

 

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the act of terror and ordered security forces to hunt down the perpetrators. "These terrorists targeted poor laborers to destabilize Pakistan. We will bring them to justice," he stated.

 

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, calling the attack "an act of cowardice" against innocent workers.

 

Rising Terrorism in Balochistan

This attack is part of a larger pattern of escalating violence in Balochistan, a region plagued by separatist insurgencies and militant extremism. In recent months, Balochistan has seen a sharp increase in terrorist activities, with multiple attacks targeting coal mines, laborers, and law enforcement agencies. The attack also follows closely after a bomb blast in Khuzdar and a string of similar incidents, raising concerns about the security situation in the province.

 

Authorities are grappling with how to address the resurgence in terror activity, especially as the country prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad in mid-October. The government’s challenge now is not only to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice but to prevent future tragedies from claiming more lives.

 
Tagged:

BalochistanAttack

CoalMineTragedy

DukiIncident

TerrorismInPakistan
Share News: