Riaz Hussain Baloch
QUETTA: In a deadly late-night assault, unidentified armed men attacked a mining site in Chagai district, leaving at least nine workers dead and abducting a foreign national.
According to officials, the attackers entered the remote site under the cover of darkness and opened indiscriminate fire, catching both workers and security staff off guard. The sudden attack resulted in multiple fatalities, while several others sustained injuries.
During the incident, the assailants also took a foreign worker hostage. Authorities believe the abducted individual may be a Turkish national, though formal confirmation is still awaited.
Before fleeing the scene, the attackers torched machinery and vehicles, causing extensive damage and spreading panic among those present. Security forces reached the area shortly after and initiated a search operation; however, the attackers had already escaped into the rugged terrain.
Law enforcement agencies have launched efforts to trace those responsible and ensure the safe recovery of the kidnapped worker.
The attack once again underscores the persistent security concerns in Balochistan, where workers and development projects have frequently been targeted. Meanwhile, grieving families of the victims are left mourning an irreparable loss.
