Gunmen Kidnap 18 People, Including 17 Workers, from Marble Mine in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Quetta (Terror Monitor) — Unidentified armed terrorists have abducted 18 people, including 17 workers and the son of a mine owner, from a marble mine and factory in the restive Khuzdar district of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, officials said.

The abduction took place in the Bisar Anari area of Nal tehsil, where a large number of armed assailants reportedly arrived at a marble mine and factory late at night.

According to police, the attackers seized 18 people from the site and took them to an undisclosed location. The abductees include the mine owner's son and 17 workers employed at the facility.

A police officer said the mine belonged to a prominent tribal figure in the area. In addition to abducting the workers and the owner's son, the armed men allegedly took a loader and two vehicles from the premises before fleeing.

The abducted workers are reportedly residents of Nal and Wadh, two areas within Khuzdar district.

Authorities have not yet announced the recovery of the abductees, and no group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

No Group Claims Responsibility

The identities and motives of the attackers remain unclear. However, the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has previously carried out attacks and abductions targeting workers, businesses and development projects in Balochistan.

The group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in the province, where an armed insurgency has persisted for years.

There has been no official confirmation linking the latest abduction in Nal to the BLA or any other armed group.

The incident has renewed concerns about the security of workers and commercial operations in parts of Balochistan, particularly in areas affected by militant violence and insurgent activity.

Previous Abduction of Workers in Nal

The latest incident follows a similar attack in the Nal area late last year, when armed assailants targeted a camp belonging to a construction company.

During that attack, the assailants reportedly set construction machinery on fire and abducted more than a dozen workers from the site.

The kidnapped workers were from Pakistan's southern Sindh province. They were subsequently released, according to the information available about the incident.

The repeated targeting of workers and construction sites has raised concerns about the safety of people employed in infrastructure development and industrial activities in the district.

Khuzdar Among Balochistan's Conflict-Affected Districts

Khuzdar is among the districts of Balochistan that have experienced serious security challenges, including armed attacks, abductions and violence targeting commercial and development activities.

Incidents involving the kidnapping of workers associated with construction companies and other businesses have also been reported in different parts of the district.

Balochistan has faced a long-running insurgency, with separatist armed groups conducting attacks against security personnel, government installations, infrastructure projects and civilians.

Some insurgent groups have also targeted workers from other parts of Pakistan, accusing them of participating in economic activities or development projects in the province. Such attacks have increased concerns about the security of labourers who travel from other provinces for employment.

Security Measures Underway

Government officials have maintained that security operations and other measures are continuing to improve the law-and-order situation in Balochistan.

However, the latest mass abduction highlights the continuing challenges facing law enforcement agencies in remote areas, where armed groups have carried out attacks against workers and commercial facilities.

Police and other authorities are expected to investigate the incident and pursue efforts to locate the abducted individuals.

As of the latest information available for this report, 18 people remain reported abducted, no group has claimed responsibility, and no official announcement has been made regarding their recovery.

Terror Monitor is monitoring developments in the case, including any official statements on the identities of the attackers, the whereabouts of the abductees and efforts to secure their release.