• Victims include foreign national, geologists, security guards
• Armed men storm site, fire rockets; five workers burnt in blaze
• HRCP condemns attack, calls for probe

QUETTA: At least 10 people, including a foreign national working at a copper and gold project site in Balochistan’s Chagai district, were killed and eight others injured in an armed attack by unidentified assailants, officials said on Thursday.

The deceased included a Turkish national and two security guards who were on duty when armed men launched the assault, according to officials.

Hospital authorities confirmed that the casualties were brought to Prince Fahad Hospital in Dalbandin. “We received 10 bodies and eight injured,” said Dr Lanwang Khan, adding that five of the bodies were burnt.

In a statement, the mining company National Resources Limited (NRL) said the attack took place on Wednesday evening. It added that security forces, including the Frontier Corps, responded promptly, secured the area and launched a clearance operation.

The company did not specify casualties, but local authorities confirmed that at least 10 employees, including two security guards and five geologists, were killed.

The deceased included Muhammad Asif (from Gilgit), Shafiq Sajid, Ali Sher (Khairpur), Sher Zaman (Karak), Sultan (Bela), Sajjad (Chitral), Rehmatullah, Akram Khan and Kallo Ram.

According to official sources, more than three dozen armed men riding motorcycles stormed the project site and opened fire on employees. Security personnel at the site returned fire, leading to a heavy exchange that continued for several hours.

Officials said the attackers also used rockets during the assault. “A huge fire broke out when a rocket hit a fuel tank, and several employees came under direct fire,” a local administration official said. He confirmed that at least five workers died after being caught in the blaze.

Security forces rushed to the site, cordoned off the area and shifted the injured to the hospital. “Six injured are being treated

here, while two were referred to the trauma centre at Civil Hospital Quetta,” Dr Khan said. Local authorities said the attackers also set fire to heavy machinery, equipment and several company vehicles. They reportedly took away vehicles belonging to the foreign national. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

In its statement, NRL said it remained “fully committed to the development and empowerment of local communities in Baloc­histan, with a strong focus on improving livelihoods and contributing to economic upliftment”.

It added that more than 90 per cent of its workforce at the Darigwan site comprised Baloch­istan residents. The company said it was closely coordinating with authorities and reiterated that the safety and security of its employees remained its highest priority.

NRL is a Pakistani mining company formed as a joint venture between Lucky Cement, Fatima Fertiliser and Liberty Mills. It is engaged in the exploration of copper-gold and lead-zinc deposits in Chagai and has reported significant mineral discoveries. Lucky Cement holds a 33.33pc stake in the venture.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the attack, stressing that the victims were “civilians and non-combatants, entitled under all circumstances to protection”.

In a statement posted on X, the commission termed the “deliberate targeting” a violation of fundamental human rights and called on the state to conduct an immediate and transparent investigation, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of civilians.

The Human Rights Comm­ission of Pakistan also stressed that development in Baloc­histan must prioritise the people of the province, rather than armed groups or competing corporate and state interests.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2026