Gunmen kill 20 miners, injure 7 in Pakistan's Balochistan

Pakistan shooting: Gunmen killed 20 miners and injured seven in Balochistan, Pakistan. The attackers targeted workers' accommodations at a coal mine.

Updated on: Oct 11, 2024, 09:16:45 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Gunmen killed 20 miners and injured seven others in Pakistan's southwest region, a police official said on Friday. The attack took place just days before the SCO summit in the capital.

Gunmen kill 20 miners, injure 7 in southwest Pakistan attack, say police (AP Photo/Image used only for representation)

According to police officer Hamayun Khan Nasir, the gunmen stormed the workers' accommodations at a coal mine in Duki district late Thursday night. They gathered the men and then opened fire.

Most of the victims were from Pashtun-speaking areas of Balochistan. Among the dead were three Afghans, and four others from Afghanistan were injured.

Pakistan hit by shooting attack just days before SCO summit

The attack comes just days before the high-profile Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, chaired by Pakistan, which is set to take place in Islamabad on October 16 and 17. Various heads of state, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, are expected to attend.

ALSO READ- India, Pak have ‘real opportunity’ to break ice at SCO summit: Hurriyat chairman

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar is slated to visit Pakistan for the SCO summit on October 15, marking his first trip to the country. This will also be the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years, with Sushma Swaraj being the last to visit in December 2015.

As part of heightened security measures, restaurants, wedding halls, cafes, and snooker clubs in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be temporarily closed from October 12 to 16, ANI reported.

Balochistan separatist groups behind attack?

Balochistan is home to separatist groups seeking independence. The groups blame Islamabad for exploiting the province’s oil and mineral wealth at the cost of local people.

ALSO READ- China reacts as its 2 nationals killed in Karachi airport blast: ‘Severely punish…’

On Monday, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for an attack on Chinese nationals outside Pakistan’s largest airport.

Thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan, primarily involved in Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

(Inputs from AP)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.