Heavy machinery, vehicles torched; later two abductees released, 18 still missing
\n khuzdar
\nUnidentified gunmen reportedly attacked a construction company\u2019s camp in Khuzdar district and \u2018abducted 20 labourers\u2019. The assailants also torched several vehicles and heavy machinery, causing extensive damage to the site.
\nOfficials said the incident occurred in the remote Kaleri area of Naal, about 80 kilometres from Khuzdar. Armed men reportedly blocked the highway before storming the private company\u2019s camp and crush plant. The company had been working on a key road project linking Khuzdar to Basima in Washuk district\u2014part of Balochistan\u2019s ongoing development plans.
\nAccording to Levies officer Ali Akbar, the attackers set fire to machinery and vehicles at the site, damaging at least eight, including heavy equipment and transport trucks. \u201cThe gunmen then forcibly took several workers with them,\u201d he said, adding that most of the abducted labourers hailed from Sindh province and had gone to Balochistan for work.
\nManager Zulfiqar Ahmed of the construction company D-Baloch, confirmed that the attackers initially kidnapped 20 workers, releasing two later. \u201cEighteen labourers are still missing,\u201d he said. \u201cThe attack has severely affected our operations and created fear among the staff,\u201d he mentioned.
\nFollowing the incident, security forces, including the Levies, Frontier Corps, and Counter Terrorism Department, launched a joint search operation. Authorities have cordoned off the area. Local tribal elders are providing all possible help to the agencies in their efforts to locate the missing workers. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack and kidnapping the workers.
\nOfficials noted that armed Baloch insurgent groups have been active in the region and have previously targeted road construction projects and non-local workers, accusing them of representing external interests.
\nThis is the second major abduction of workers in Balochistan within a week. Just days earlier, nine labourers were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the Dasht area of Mastung district. With the latest incident, the total number of abducted workers this week has risen to 27.
\nThe recent surge in violence has raised serious security concerns for companies and labourers involved in development projects across the province. The Balochistan government has condemned the attack, pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice.
\nLocal residents and analysts warn that such incidents undermine Balochistan\u2019s fragile development process. They urge authorities to implement a comprehensive security strategy to protect workers and ongoing infrastructure projects.
\nInvestigations are ongoing, and security forces continue search operations in the affected areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Heavy machinery, vehicles torched; later two abductees released, 18 still missing khuzdar Unidentified gunmen reportedly attacked a construction company\u2019s camp in Khuzdar district and \u2018abducted 20 labourers\u2019. The assailants also torched several vehicles and heavy machinery, causing extensive damage to the site. Officials said the incident occurred in the remote Kaleri area of Naal, about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-510626","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n