11 Coal Miners killed in Mach Balochistan
Angry protesters blocked main Western Bypass in Quetta and burnt tires to mourn the killing of 11 coal miners in Mach: Photo Quetta Voice

11 Coal Miners killed in Mach Balochistan

Imran Sumalani :

Armed accused opened fire and killed 11 coal miners in Balochistan’s Mach area on Sunday morning. Deputy Commissioner Kachi, Murad Kasi said armed accused opened fire on coal miners in Gashtari area of Mach tehsil of district Kachi. Levies sources however said all the victims had received from close-range.

Four coal miners also injured in the firing incident. The injured miners shifted to Mach hospital for medical treatment. So far no arrest has been made, Murad Kasi said. Levies and other security forces reached the spot as an investigation into the incident went underway. Levies informed the victims belong to the Shia Hazara community. Home Minister Balochistan, Mir Ziaullah Langove termed the incident as an act of sectarian terrorism.

The banned Islamic State (IS) claimed the responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency via its telegram channel. The claim could not be officially verified.

Victims were on their way to mine when tragedy struck

The victims were going to a coal mine to extract coal when picked up by armed accused. Panic prevailed in the Mach area in the aftermath of the terrorist incident.

Mach area of district Kachi houses rich-coal reservoirs and thousands of coal miners have been extracting coal from the mountains. In the past, armed accused have targeted passenger trains, security forces and other vital national installations.

PM condemns miners killing

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist attack. The premier took to Twitter and termed the incident as an inhuman and cowardly act on the parts of terrorists.

CM condemns Mach incident

Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan strongly condemned the incident and directed the concerned officials to submit a report in this regard.

Home Minister condemns terror act

Home Minister Balochistan, Mir Ziaullah Langove strongly condemned the terrorist incident and directed the law enforcers to arrest the culprits. He said the perpetrators of the firing incident would be brought to book. He directed police and levies to submit a report in this regard and ensure the arrest of the culprits.

Angry protesters blocked Quetta-Jaccobabad highway at Mach 

Heirs of the victims have staged a protest demonstration near Mach to mourn the killing of their loved ones. Levies sources said the angry heirs have blocked the main route linking Balochistan Sindh and Punjab provinces. Security has been tightened in the area to avert another untoward incident.

Levies said around 300 angry protesters have blocked the road linking Balochistan with various parts of the country. Long queues of the vehicles can be witnessed on both sides of the road. The protesters are chanting slogans and demanding the arrest of the culprits.

11 Coal Miners killed in Mach Balochistan

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.