DUKKI: Five miners lost their lives following a rocket attack on a coal mine in Dukki, near Quetta, as Balochistan reels from yet another terrorist attack in recent months.
Authorities reported that the attackers employed rocket launchers and hand grenades, showing yet another lapse in security for the lives of daily wage workers in the entire province.
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The attackers also set fire to mining equipment, resulting in physical and financial destruction. The deceased workers identified as residents of Kuchlak, Pishin and Qila Saif.
The latest attack is indicative of a greater trend in escalating violence in the resource-rich province, particularity as the Taliban rose to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The security situation in the country’s largest province has deteriorated sharply, with several militant groups taking advantage of the instability.
The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) documented a 30 per cent rise in terrorist attacks in Balochistan in 2022 alone, with 132 attacks recorded. Over 215 people were killed.
The provincial govemrent has faced huge challenges in addressing the spoke in militancy. Since Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has become emboldened.
Despite repeated attempts and even international community stepping in to call on the Taliban govemrent to prevent Afghan soil being used as a safe haven for terrorism, militant attacks in Pakistan have only worsened since 2021.
In 2021 alone, Balochnsitan experienced 102 targeted killing, with Quetta accounting for 56 of those, as per the local police reports.
The increase in violence has not only endangered civilians but also severely impacted the on-going $64 billion China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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The International Crisis Group also highlighted that the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has emboldened militant organisations in Pakistan.
The rise in cross-border terrorism is particularly harmful as the banned terrorist outfit, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has also stepped up attacks.
With allegations of Indian involvement, the BLA’s terrorist attacks are even more dangerous as its tactics aim to sow discord among the country’s diverse demographics.