At least 20 coal miners were killed in a brutal attack by armed militants in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, authorities confirmed on Friday.
The assault targeted a small, privately owned coal mine in the Duki area, east of Quetta, the provincial capital.
According to local police officials, the assailants launched the attack in the early hours of the morning, using heavy weaponry to strike the mines.
The attackers reportedly fired rockets and hurled grenades at the coal mine operated by Junaid Coal Company.
Medical teams responded swiftly, with local hospital authorities in Duki confirming the receipt of 20 bodies and six injured victims.
Balochistan has long been plagued by militant insurgencies and separatist movements, making it one of Pakistan's most volatile regions.
The area, rich in natural resources, has seen frequent attacks on infrastructure and laborers by various militant groups. The coal mining industry, in particular, has been a frequent target due to its significance in the region's economy and the vulnerability of its workers.
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