At least 20 killed in armed attack on miners in Balochistan’s Duki

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At least 20 killed in armed attack on miners in Balochistan’s Duki​

Abdullah Zehri
October 11, 2024

Relatives of the deceased and injured gather at a hospital in Balochistan on Oct 11, 2024 after a deadly attack on a coal mine in Duki. — via author

At least 20 miners were killed and seven injured in an attack by armed men on a private coal mine in Balochistan’s Duki area on Friday, police said.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns across the country, especially in Balochistan where a spate of terror attacks in August claimed at least 50 lives.

“A group of armed men attacked the Junaid Coal company mines in the Duki area in the wee hours using heavy weapons,” said Duki Station House Officer (SHO) Humayun Khan.

They fired rockets and grenades at the mines as well, SHO Khan added.

Johar Khan Shadizai, a doctor in Duki, said: “We have received 20 bodies and six injured so far at the district hospital.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Duki District Council Chairman Khairullah Nasir also confirmed the incident, stating that the miscreants used “hand grenades, rocket launchers and other modern weapons” in the attack.

He added that the attackers also set fire to “10 coal engines and machinery”.

Nasir confirmed that the district administration, police, and Frontier Corps (FC) teams had reached the incident site.

Duki Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kaleemullah Kakar and the assistant commissioner (AC) visited the incident site, where the FC commandant and Duki superintendent of police were present. A joint operation was conducted to find the remaining bodies.

Speaking to reporters, DC Kakar said the victims belonged to various regions of Pakistan, as well as Afghanistan.

Seven injured individuals have been transferred to Loralai Tehsil Headquarters for medical treatment, he said, adding that the deceased will be transported to their native towns once all necessary procedures are completed.

“The district administration is actively coordinating with the FC and police to manage and control the situation,” DC Kakar asserted. He said a first information report will be lodged and the incident will be investigated by the Counter-Terrorism Department.

Despite the coal mines falling under the primary responsibility of the FC and the area being under police jurisdiction, Levies took the lead in responding and recovering the first body, the Duki DC noted.

Earlier, upon receiving an alert, DC Kakar contacted the mine owner. The Duki DC and AC visited the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital to ensure all necessary arrangements were made for the deceased and injured.

Medical officers, including the medical superintendent and district health officer, along with the entire paramedical staff, were mobilised at the DHQ. Ambulances were arranged in coordination with the Loralai commissioner’s office.

The attack comes as the country is preparing to host a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad from October 15-16. The event is expected to see high-level Chinese representation and will also be attended by India’s foreign minister.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack and sought a report on it from the relevant authorities, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) stated.

Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives, he conveyed his sympathies to the slain miners’ families and reiterated the government’s resolve to purge the country of terrorism.

The premier prayed for the departed souls and the early recovery of the injured, instructing the relevant authorities to ensure the wounded’s best medical treatment, APP added.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the acting president as President Zardari is on a visit to Turkmenistan, also expressed his regret over the killings, APP reported.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1864408/a...-attack-on-miners-in-balochistans-duki-police