20 coal miners killed in an attack in southwest Pakistan
Armed attackers have killed 20 coal miners and wounded another seven in a brutal assault at a small private mine in Dukki district, located in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The attack occurred on Thursday night when gunmen broke into the miners' quarters, gathered the workers, and opened fire, according to local police official Hamayun Khan Nasir. The assailants used heavy weapons, including rockets and grenades, to carry out the attack.
Most of the victims were Pashtun-speaking workers from Balochistan, while three of the deceased and four of the injured were Afghan nationals. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Balochistan has long been a region troubled by violence and unrest, with various armed groups operating there. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), one of the most prominent insurgent groups, often accuses the central government of exploiting the province's rich natural resources while neglecting its population.
The BLA was recently involved in an attack targeting Chinese nationals near Karachi's airport, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese citizens and injuries to others.
This latest attack raises significant security concerns ahead of an international summit set to take place in Pakistan in the coming days.
