Armed Attack on Mining Site in Pakistan’s Balochistan Kills at Least 9, Abducts Turkish National
Unidentified militants used grenades and automatic weapons during assault on copper-gold exploration project in Chagai district; security forces launch search operation
QUETTA, Pakistan — April 23, 2026 — At least nine people were killed and a foreign national abducted when unidentified militants attacked a mining exploration site in Balochistan province on Wednesday evening, security officials confirmed.
The attack occurred at approximately 7:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) on April 22 at a copper and gold exploration site operated by National Resources Limited (NRL) in the Chagai district of southwestern Balochistan province, according to security sources who spoke on condition of anonymity .
Casualties and Abduction
According to Pakistani security sources, at least nine people were killed in the assault, including: six laborers, three private security guards .
A Turkish national worker was abducted by the attackers and remains missing, authorities reported . The Turkish national abducted is an employee of NRL. Hospital sources later confirmed that among the deceased was a Turkish citizen, though the total number of fatalities reported by some local sources diverges .
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All deceased were transported to Prince Fahad Hospital in Dalbandin for post-mortem examinations and identification, according to local officials .
Attack Details
The attackers used small arms fire and under-barrel grenade launcher rounds during the assault, according to security sources . Militants also carried out acts of arson and sabotage, damaging three fuel bowsers (tankers) and setting fire to two or three tents and two vehicles at the site .
A fuel tanker explosion at the site during the attack contributed to some of the casualties, according to hospital sources .
According to security sources, one terrorist was killed in retaliatory fire from security personnel. The remaining attackers fled the scene with the abducted foreign national in two vehicles .
Security forces, including the Frontier Corps (FC), later arrived at the site, secured the area, and launched a search operation to track down the perpetrators and recover the abducted foreign national .
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Company Statement
In a statement issued following the attack, National Resources Limited (NRL) confirmed that the assault took place at its Darigwan mining site in Chagai district on Wednesday evening .
The company stated that security forces, including the Frontier Corps, responded promptly, secured the area, and initiated a clearance operation . The company did not initially report casualties in its statement, though local authorities confirmed the fatalities .
NRL reaffirmed its commitment to the development and empowerment of local communities in Balochistan, stating that over 90 per cent of the workforce at the Darigwan site comprises individuals from Balochistan . The company also noted that it is in close coordination with relevant authorities and emphasized that the safety and security of its employees and operations remains its highest priority .
National Resources Limited is a Pakistani mining company established as a joint venture of Lucky Cement, Fatima Fertilizer and Liberty Mills. The company is engaged in exploration of copper-gold and lead-zinc deposits in Chagai .
Security Context in Balochistan
Chagai district, located in Pakistan’s largest but least populous province, has experienced repeated militant attacks on industrial infrastructure. The area has been a frequent target of Baloch separatist groups, who accuse the federal government of exploiting the region’s natural resources, including copper and gold, without providing adequate benefits to local residents .
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area but with the smallest population, suffers from chronic underdevelopment, poverty, and low literacy rates compared to other provinces. Baloch separatist groups have long accused the federal government of extracting natural resources without providing commensurate economic benefits to the local population.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most active separatist group in the province, has previously launched coordinated attacks on security infrastructure and industrial projects. In February of this year, BLA claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks across the region that killed more than 190 people .
Regional Impacts
The attack on the NRL mining project comes amid heightened security concerns in Chagai district, where China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects and mining operations are particularly targeted by militant groups.
Pakistan and China are major allies, with Beijing having invested heavily in Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative. The region is also home to significant mineral deposits, including copper and gold, which are critical to both countries’ economic interests.
Turkish nationals were present at the site as part of technical cooperation agreements, though the exact nature of the Turkish involvement in the exploration project remains unclear. The abduction of a Turkish citizen prompted immediate diplomatic communications between Islamabad and Ankara.
Current Status
As of Thursday, April 23, security forces continue search operations in the area to locate the abducted Turkish national and apprehend the attackers.
Authorities have imposed a curfew-like situation in parts of Chagai district as the search expands. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s military, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the attack.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though suspicion will likely fall on Baloch separatist groups who have previously targeted industrial projects and foreign nationals in the province.
The company has not yet released any additional details regarding its security arrangements or the status of its operations at the Darigwan site following the attack.
SOURCES / INPUTS
- Xinhua: 9 killed, foreign national abducted in terrorist attack on mining site in SW Pakistan
- Pakistan Today: Nine workers killed in armed attack at mining site in Chagai
- Dawn: 9 killed in armed attack at mining site in Balochistan’s Chagai
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