20 Miners Killed in Balochistan Mine Attack

A violent attack on coal miners in Balochistan, Pakistan, has resulted in at least 20 deaths and several injuries, as armed men targeted the Junaid Coal Company mine in the Duki district. The attackers, using grenades and rocket launchers, rounded up miners before opening fire, primarily on Pashtun-speaking individuals, including Afghan nationals. This incident is part of a troubling trend of violence in the region, which has seen an increase in attacks amid ongoing unrest, particularly against those perceived to benefit from Chinese investment projects. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) is suspected to be behind this and related attacks. The incident adds to the growing concerns over security as Pakistan prepares to host a major Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad next week. Balochistan has long been a hotspot for insurgency, with local groups demanding greater autonomy and accusing the federal government of exploitation.