In Balochistan, Pakistan, an armed assault on a coal mine early Friday morning resulted in the deaths of 20 miners and left seven others injured. The attack occurred at the Junaid Coal Company mine in the Duki district. According to police, around 40 armed men launched the assault at approximately 12:30 am, firing at the miners for about 30 minutes before fleeing the scene.
The attackers used heavy weaponry, including rockets and grenades, damaging mining equipment. Most of the victims were laborers from Pashtun-speaking regions of Balochistan, with some Afghan nationals also among the dead and injured. Local businesses responded to the killings with a daylong strike in protest.
No group has claimed responsibility yet, but suspicion is directed at the banned Baloch Liberation Army, known for targeting civilians and security forces.
This attack comes just days before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, scheduled for October 15-16, raising security concerns.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the tragedy and pledged to fight terrorism. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, vowing to avenge the miners’ deaths and bring the attackers to justice. Security forces are currently searching for those responsible, with investigations ongoing.
