20 killed in a coal mine attack in Balochistan.

Quetta (Pakistan) – On the night of October 10th, unidentified gunmen attacked a coal mine in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, resulting in the death of at least 20 miners and injuring seven others. The gunmen surrounded the homes near the mine in the Dukki District and opened indiscriminate fire. According to local media reports, most of the victims and injured were Pashto-speaking people from Balochistan, including three Afghan nationals.

Balochistan Coal Mine Attack: 20 people killed in an attack on a coal mine in Balochistan!#Balochistan #coal #attack pic.twitter.com/aFFcrKZ8yJ

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 11, 2024

1. No terrorist or separatist group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Several local groups accuse the Pakistan Government of exploiting the natural resources of Balochistan, which is rich in oil and minerals, while oppressing the local population.

2. In four days, Pakistan’s capital Islamabad is set to host the ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organization’ summit. Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and heads of State from member countries are expected to attend the summit. In this context, security concerns have been raised following the attack.

3. Earlier, on October 7^th, the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for an attack on Chinese nationals outside Pakistan’s largest airport.