Unidentified armed men have abducted 18 people, including 17 workers and the son of a mine owner, from a marble mine and factory in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, according to a BBC Urdu report citing government officials.
The incident took place in the Bisar Anari area of Nal tehsil in Khuzdar district, where a large group of armed men reportedly arrived at the mining site and factory late at night.
Ghulam Mustafa, Station House Officer (SHO) of Nal police station, told BBC Urdu that the attackers abducted 18 people from the site.
The abductees include the son of the mine owner and 17 workers. The mine reportedly belongs to a prominent tribal figure in the area.
According to the police officer, the armed men also took away a loader and two vehicles from the mining site.
The abducted workers are residents of the Nal and Wadh areas of Khuzdar district. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.
Previous Attack on Construction Workers
The latest abduction comes amid a series of security incidents targeting workers and construction projects in Balochistan.
Late last year, an armed group reportedly attacked the camp of a construction company in the Nal area, set machinery on fire and abducted more than a dozen workers.
The workers, who belonged to Pakistan’s Sindh province, were subsequently released.
Khuzdar is among the districts of Balochistan that have experienced prolonged security challenges, including attacks on construction companies and the abduction of their employees.
Security Concerns in Balochistan
Balochistan has witnessed recurring incidents of violence, including attacks on infrastructure projects, security personnel and civilian workers.
Government officials have said security operations and other measures are continuing to improve the situation. However, the latest abduction highlights persistent security concerns for workers and businesses operating in affected areas.
Authorities have yet to announce further details about efforts to recover the abducted individuals.
