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DUKI: In a tragic incident in Balochistan’s Duki area, unidentified armed men killed at least 20 mine workers and injured several others early Friday.
According to the SHO Duki, Humayun Khan, “A group of armed men attacked the Junaid Coal company mines in the Duki area in the wee hours using heavy weapons.”
The attackers, reportedly up to 40 in number, stormed the workers’ accommodation at the Junaid Coal Company mines, using heavy weapons, hand grenades, and rocket launchers.
The attackers gathered the miners at one place and opened fire on them, officials said, adding that they also destroyed equipment and set 10 coal engines, and mining machinery on fire.
Local authorities have confirmed that the victims hailed from various regions of Pakistan. Moreover, four Afghan nationals died while four others from the country were injured No group claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Seven injured individuals have been transferred to Loralai Tehsil Headquarters for medical treatment, while the deceased will be transported to their native towns once necessary procedures are completed.
A health official in Duki confirmed, “We have received 20 bodies and six injured so far at the district hospital.”
The district administration, police, and Frontier Corps (FC) teams have joined forces to investigate the incident and cordoned off the area.
Thousands of residents took to the streets in the Duki, staging a massive protest against the brutal killing of 20 mineworkers in a terrorist attack.
Chanting slogans and demanding justice, the protesters condemned the senseless violence and urged authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of the region.
This devastating attack comes just days before Islamabad set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 15-16.
The event will see high-level representation from China and attendance by India’s foreign minister, making security concerns even more pressing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow over the killings and vowed to eliminate terrorism.
In a statement, the PM sought a report from the authorities concerned on the incident and reiterated his government’s resolve to purge the country of terrorism.
He expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and conveyed his sympathies to the families of the slain miners.
He prayed to Allah Almighty for peace for the departed souls and early recovery of the injured, instructing the relevant authorities to ensure their best medical treatment.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی بلوچستان کے ضلع دکی کے علاقے میں کان کنوں پر دہشت گردوں کے حملے کی شدید مذمت
وزیراعظم کا واقعے میں قیمتی جانوں کے نقصان پر دکھ اور رنج کا اظہار؛ جاں بحق کان کنوں کے بلندئ درجات کی دعا اور ان کے اہل خانہ سے اظہار تعزیت
وزیراعظم نے واقعے کی رپورٹ طلب… pic.twitter.com/0zAgZXfZMe
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 11, 2024
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, in a statement, expressed his anger over the incident and ordered “immediate and effective action against the terrorists”. He directed that the area be cordoned off to restrict and trace the miscreants.
“The terrorists have crossed the limits of brutality and oppression by once again targeting poor laborers,” CM Bugti said, adding that the perpetrators’ “agenda was to destabilize Pakistan”.
“Ordinary poor laborers are targeted as they are considered a ‘soft target’. The terrorists are cowards,” he noted, vowing to hold them accountable for the “killing of each innocent person”.
“We will wipe out the terrorists and clear this homeland of their existence. The victory will be of the righteous in the war against terrorism,” the chief minister asserted.
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