In a brutal assault on Thursday night, gunmen stormed a coal mine in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, killing 20 miners and wounding another seven, authorities reported. The attackers, armed with rockets and grenades, targeted the accommodations of miners in Duki district, before fleeing the scene. The miners, most of whom were from Pashtun-speaking areas, included three Afghans among the dead.

Local police official Hamayun Khan Nasir confirmed the attack, stating that the gunmen also damaged mining machinery before escaping. No group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group known for targeting civilians and security forces. The attack has sparked a daylong strike by local shop owners in protest against the killings.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, vowing to eliminate terrorism. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act aimed at destabilizing Pakistan. "The killing of these innocent laborers will be avenged," Bugti declared.

This attack comes ahead of a major security summit in Islamabad, heightening concerns over the country’s ability to maintain security. The summit is part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a group led by China and Russia.

Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, has long been home to separatist groups, including the BLA, who seek independence and accuse the federal government of exploiting the province’s resources at the expense of locals. Recently, the BLA has targeted Chinese nationals involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a key project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Despite increased security efforts, violence continues to plague the region, underscoring the persistent threat of terrorism in Pakistan. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the attackers.