Gunmen kill at least 20 miners in Pakistan province

At least 20 coal miners have been killed in a brutal attack by gunmen on a mining site in Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province.

The attackers stormed the miners’ quarters of the Junaid Coal Company in Duki district early Friday morning, rounding up the workers and opening fire, according to local police.

Authorities report that heavy weapons, including rockets and grenades, were used in the attack, which also left six people injured.

Police confirmed that four of the victims were Afghan nationals, while the rest were from Pashtun-speaking areas of Balochistan. The attackers also set fire to machinery at the site.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, but Balochistan is a hotbed of separatist violence, with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) previously responsible for similar attacks.

Earlier in the week, the BLA carried out a suicide attack near Karachi airport, killing two Chinese nationals and injuring several others.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the latest attack, saying the perpetrators aimed to destabilize Pakistan.

“Terrorists have once again targeted the working poor…the killing of these innocent workers will be avenged,” he said.

This incident adds to the rise in violence in the province, which is home to several separatist groups who accuse the government of exploiting the region’s rich natural resources.

Attacks often target both security forces and workers working on mining and infrastructure projects.

The killings come just ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which is scheduled to take place next week in Islamabad.

In light of recent attacks, Pakistani authorities are increasing security measures, particularly for Chinese citizens who are frequently targeted by militant groups.