11 Oct 2024 | 07:28 AM UTC
Pakistan: At least 20 workers killed due to attack on mine in Duki District, Balochistan Province, Oct. 11
Armed attack kills over 20 people in Duki District, Balochistan Province, Pakistan, Oct. 11. Protests ongoing. Terror threat remains high.
Authorities are investigating an armed attack on a coal mine in Duki District, Balochistan Province, as of Oct. 11. The incident occurred early Oct. 11, leaving 20 workers dead and at least seven others injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which involved the use of grenades, rockets, and firearms. Residents are staging a district-wide shutdown strike and related protests throughout Oct. 11 to denounce the attack.
Heightened security measures are likely until investigations and any ensuing security operations end. Additional attacks and armed clashes may occur. Checkpoints and increased patrols are likely. Business and traffic disruptions and telecommunication and movement controls are probable in the coming days, mainly in areas with active security operations. Locals may stage further demonstrations, including protests against prolonged security controls; popular demonstration sites include public squares and highways.
The incident site is approximately 152 km (94.4 miles) southwest of Quetta.
Avoid the affected area until security forces give the all-clear. Minimize exposure to potential target sites such as government and security installations and convoys, compounds of prominent development projects, as well as crowded public places. Confirm business appointments, road status, and travel reservations if operating in the region. Avoid protests as a security precaution. Do not navigate roadblocks due to the threat of violence. Carry valid identification and remain non-confrontational if approached at checkpoints. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Heed all security and traffic advisories.
Separatist groups, including the BalochistanLiberation Army (BLA), often carry out small-scale attacks on security forces, pro-government leaders, and workers from other parts of Pakistan in Balochistan Province. While most attacks occur in rural areas, one of the BLA's high-profile attacks occurred at the Pakistan Stock Exchange Building in Karachi in 2020. The BLA also often targets development projects in Balochistan associated with the high-profile Chinese-funded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including the storming of the Gwadar Port Authority complex in March 2024. BLA operatives have previously targeted Chinese interests in areas outside Balochistan Province, most notably a December 2018 attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi. A spike in violence is likely in the coming months due to the launch of a nationwide counterterror operation since late June.
