At least 11 coal miners were killed in the Machh town of Balochistan on Sunday after armed militants kidnapped them and took them to a nearby area before opening fire at close range.
According to Bolan Deputy Commissioner Murad Kasi, four people injured in the incident are undergoing treatment. Initial investigation revealed that the slain laborers belonged to the Shia Hazara community.
Whereas, as per the police statement, the attackers abducted the miners and took them to the nearby hills where they were fired at and seriously injured.
Moazzam Ali Jatoi, an official with the Levies Force, said six of the miners were dead on the spot, and five who were critically wounded died on the way to a hospital.
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Jatoi further said that an initial investigation revealed the attackers identified the miners as being from the Shia Hazara community and the gunmen took them away for execution, leaving others unharmed.
Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the killing of the coal miners and termed the incident a “yet another cowardly [and] inhumane act of terrorism”.
He took to twitter and posted, “The condemnable killing of 11 innocent coal miners in Machh Balochistan is yet another cowardly inhumane act of terrorism. Have asked the FC to use all resources to apprehend these killers & bring them to justice. The families of the victims will not be left abandoned by the govt.”
Meanwhile, Bilawal also expressed his sympathies with the family members of the victims and prayed for the departed souls.
Speaking about the tragic incident, Balochistan Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau said the victims of the attack on colliers by cowardly terrorists could not be identified.
“The cruel and inhuman tragic incident in #MachBolan is strongly condemned. We are mourning today on the killing of poor Labours. Irrespective of the sect, race and religion, our innocent brothers were targeted. The evils behind the tragedy will be unveiled soon.”
