In a brazen attack that has sent shockwaves across Balochistan, armed gunmen abducted eighteen labourers from a coal mine in the troubled Khuzdar district on Tuesday. The incident has exposed the fragile security apparatus in one of Pakistan's most volatile regions.
Details of the Terrifying Abduction
According to local authorities, the abduction occurred in the early hours when unidentified militants stormed a coal mine in the Karkh area of Khuzdar. The armed assailants rounded up the labourers, who were mostly daily wage workers from Punjab province, and forced them into waiting vehicles at gunpoint.
"The labourers were working in a private coal mine when armed men surrounded the area and took them away," confirmed a senior police official who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Massive Search Operation Launched
Security forces have launched a massive search operation across Khuzdar and surrounding districts to locate the missing labourers. Checkpoints have been established on all major roads, and aerial surveillance has been deployed to track the movement of the kidnappers.
"Our security forces are using all available resources to ensure the safe recovery of the abducted workers," stated a spokesperson for the Balochistan government. "We will not rest until these innocent citizens are returned to their families."
Growing Security Concerns in Balochistan
This incident highlights the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan, where militant groups frequently target both security personnel and civilians. The province has been grappling with insurgency for decades, with separatist groups demanding greater autonomy and control over the region's rich natural resources.
Khuzdar district, in particular, has witnessed several similar incidents in recent years, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures in the area.
Families in Anguish
Meanwhile, families of the abducted labourers have gathered outside government offices, demanding immediate action for the safe return of their loved ones. Many of the workers are the sole breadwinners for their families, and their abduction has left numerous households in financial and emotional distress.
"My brother went to Balochistan to earn a living for his family," wept one relative. "We never imagined he would become a target of militants. We appeal to the government to bring them back safely."
The incident has sparked nationwide condemnation, with human rights organizations calling for urgent measures to protect vulnerable workers in conflict-prone areas.
