At least five people have been killed in a gun and bomb attack on a coal mine in Hernai district of Balochistan on Thursday, official reports say.
Two miners, two security personnel and a driver were among the dead after armed attackers stormed the coal mine, said deputy commissioner of police.
As the security forces responded to the attack, a vehicle belonging to the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) that was rushing to the scene was hit by a landmine explosion about a kilometer away from the coal mine, police said.
Later, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a pro-independence Baloch armed group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Jeeyand Baloch, the spokesperson of BLA stated that BLA fighters targeted a convoy of Pakistan army with heavy weaponry and IED in Shahrag area of Hernai. The attack resulted in killing 7 and injuring several forces personnel.
“We want to make it clear to the local spies and death squad groups of Pakistan army that they will not be forgiven for their crimes,” he said.
Jeeyand Baloch further said that, Pakistan army along with several other companies is plundering Baloch national wealth. Balochistan is a war torn region and we will not allow any investments until the independence of Balochistan.
The BLA and other armed groups have been fighting Pakistani security forces for almost two decades, demanding independence for Balochistan, which they claim has been neglected by the Pakistani state and exploited for its mineral resources.