At least ten killed in armed attack on copper and gold mining site in Pakistan’s Balochistan
In the past, Baloch armed groups have been behind similar attacks on foreign investment sites, which they describe as exploitation of the region’s resources.
At least ten people have been killed in an armed attack on a copper and gold project site in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, local sources and officials say.
The attack targeted operations linked to National Resources Limited (NRL), a Pakistani mining company formed as a joint venture between Lucky Cement, Fatima Fertilizer, and Liberty Mills.
Picture by Ali Raza Rind/Facebook
Among those killed are two geologists, two private security guards, a Turkish national, and several laborers from Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces. Initial reports suggested the Turkish citizen had been abducted, but officials later confirmed he was among the dead.
The incident took place in Darigwan area, around 100 kilometers northwest of Chagai district in southwestern Pakistan, a mineral-rich area that hosts major international mining interests, including projects associated with Barrick Mining and the China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC).
The attack occurred at around 17:45 local time on Wednesday.
What local sources say
Dr Zain Sanjrani of Prince Fahad Hospital told reporters that the victims suffered burns and injuries consistent with explosions and bullet at close range. He said eight people had been admitted, including two in critical condition who were later transferred to Quetta, the provincial capital.
One local resident said more than three dozens armed men stormed the NRL site while six Frontier Corps personnel were present. According to the account, the paramilitary personnel withdrew from the site and took shelter in nearby homes as the attack began.
Two private security guards reportedly attempted to resist the attackers and were killed. The assailants also set the machinery at the site on fire.
Pakistani military and provincial government officials have so far not commented. The Turkish embassy has also not commented about a Turk national being killed.
NRL confirmed the incident in a LinkedIn post, saying it was coordinating with law enforcement authorities and would provide updates as more information becomes available. It added that “the safety and security of our employees and operations remain our highest priority.”
Security concerns in the region
The attack is likely to renew concerns over security for foreign workers and investment projects in Balochistan.
Barrick Mining last month said it was extending its review of the Reko Diq copper-gold project amid rising security risks in the province. The company had already been reassessing its investment plans following a deadly attack in the beginning of February claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which Pakistani authorities say carried out a prolonged assault across multiple districts.
The BLA, which seeks independence for Balochistan, has previously targeted security forces and infrastructure linked to mining and development projects.
In an earlier incident in December 2025, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), another separatist group, carried out an attack targeting foreign nationals working in mining operations in Chagai’s Nokundi locality.
Authorities have yet to confirm who was responsible for Wednesday’s deadly attack.