ISLAMABAD – Nine people were killed and a foreign worker abducted after terrorists attacked a mining exploration site in Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province on Wednesday evening, security sources said on Thursday.
The attack happened at about 7 pm local time (1400 GMT) on Wednesday at a site operated by the National Resources Limited company in Chaghi district, the sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Copper and gold exploration activities were underway at the site where the attack took place, the sources added.
“Armed militants used small arms fire and under-barrel grenade launcher rounds during the attack, and also carried out arson and sabotage, damaging three fuel bowsers and setting fire to two to three tents and two vehicles at the site,” the sources said.
One terrorist was killed in retaliatory fire, while the remaining attackers fled the scene with the abducted individual in two vehicles.
Security forces have launched a search operation in the area to track down the perpetrators and recover the abducted foreign national.
The deceased included three private security guards and six laborers, the sources said.
No group has claimed the attack so far.