Protests in Balochistan’s Duki after rocket attack on coal mines kills 20

Protests have erupted in Balochistan’s District Duki after at least 20 miners were killed and seven left injured in a rocket attack on coal mines in the area, the latest incident of violence in the southwestern province.

“A group of armed men attacked the mines in the Duki area in the wee hours [of Friday] using heavy weapons,” said Humayun Khan, the police station house officer for the town, located east of the city of Quetta.

They fired rockets and grenades at the mines as well, he added.

The mineral-rich region borders Afghanistan and Iran and has been troubled for decades due to frequent incidents of violence.  No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack.

Following the deadly attack, citizens staged a demonstration at Bacha Khan Chowk with the bodies of the slain miners. Meanwhile, traders announced a shutter-down strike in the entire district in condemnation of the dastardly attack. All trade centres and markets remained closed across Duki on Friday.

The area surrounding the coal mines were cordoned off by the police and FC personnel and a search operation was launched soon after the attack.