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Nine killed in armed attack on mining site in southwestern Pakistan

By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD — At least nine workers were killed in an armed assault on a mining project in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, the newspaper Dawn reported, citing local officials.

The attack occurred on Wednesday evening at a copper and gold exploration site in Chagai district, where unidentified gunmen targeted employees of National Resources Limited. Authorities said the victims included two security guards.

Security forces, including the Frontier Corps, moved quickly to secure the area and launch a search operation following the incident. The bodies were transported to a hospital in Dalbandin for further procedures.

While the company did not confirm casualties in its initial statement, local administration and police officials verified the death toll, describing the attack as a serious security breach in the resource-rich but volatile region.

National Resources Limited said it is coordinating closely with authorities and stressed that the safety of its workforce remains a top priority. The firm added that a majority of its employees at the site are drawn from local communities in Balochistan.

The company, a joint venture involving major Pakistani industrial groups, is engaged in mineral exploration in the region, which has long faced security challenges despite its economic potential.