On Thursday (10th October) night, about 20 coal miners were killed and 7 others were injured in Dukki district in Balochistan province of Pakistan.
As per reports, the attack was carried out by armed unknown men. The assailants ambushed the miners’ quarters, lined up the workers and opened fire at them.
The development was confirmed by local cop Hamayun Khan Nasir on Friday (11th October). He remarked, “A group of armed men attacked the Junaid Coal company mines in the (Dukki) area in the (early) hours using heavy weapons.”
#Dukki: Heartbreaking scenes of funerals of Pashtun labours martyred in the nexus of state institutions and so-called armed groups.
— Azhar Afghan (@AzharAfg) October 11, 2024
Today 20 workers were martyred in an attack on coal mines by armed men in #Dukki. pic.twitter.com/N1NjIv3KKj
Nasir further stated that the unknown men also threw grenades and fired rockets at the mines. At the same time, the attacker set 10 engines and other mining equipment ablaze before escaping the crime scene.
Three of the deceased and four injured victims were Afghanistan nationals. Other deceased hailed from the Pashtun-majority regions such as Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Muslim Bagh, Musa Khel and Kuchlak.
A search operation has reportedly been initiated to nab the unknown men, who were involved in the targeted attack. A large contingent of Frontier Constabulary (FC) and police were deployed in the aftermath of the incident.
Citizens in Dukki are protesting against the recent terrorist attack on coal mines, which resulted in the killing of 20 miners and left 7 others injured. Protesters have gathered at Bacha Khan Chowk, staging a sit-in with the bodies of the deceased miners. A complete shutter-down… pic.twitter.com/KW6KZf6Wxn
— Chamrok (چمروک) (@BalochChamrok1) October 11, 2024
The residents of the Dukki district of Balochistan are now protesting the killing of coal miners at the Bacha Khan Chowk.
It must be mentioned that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) often carries out armed operations in the province to avenge the atrocities committed against civilians by the Punjabai-dominated Pakistani army. It remains unknown whether BLA is involved in the incident in any manner.
The attack on coal miners comes two days before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Islamabad between 12th and 16th October.
