Crisis Region Balochistan Struck by Violence Again: BLA Distances Itself from Mine Attack

A tragic attack on a coal mine in the southwestern region of Balochistan, Pakistan, has once again brought the stronghold of tensions into the spotlight. At least 21 workers were killed in the bloody incident when armed assailants stormed the mine, targeting the victims both in their sleep and in a targeted line of fire. A spokesman for the militant separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) strongly condemned the massacre of Pashtun workers in the Dukki area, stating that the BLA was not involved in this devastating attack. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the coal mines of Junaid Coal Co, located in Pakistan's most mineral-rich area bordering both Afghanistan and Iran. The attack occurs during a period of heightened military tensions, as just a few days later, Pakistan is set to host a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The longstanding unrest in Balochistan, stemming from separatist demands for a fair share in the country's resources, is exacerbated by the presence of both separatist and Islamist militant groups. The region is home to significant mining projects, such as the Reko Diq gold and copper mine, operated by mining giant Barrick Gold. Geopolitical interest is further heightened by China's investments, as it is also involved in mining in the region. On the economic stage, a Saudi delegation has meanwhile negotiated stakes in the said mining project, while Pakistan seeks ways out of its economic crisis.