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Baluchistan separatists kill workers at Pakistani construction site Baluchistan separatists kill workers at Pakistani construction site
(about 7 hours later)
Gunmen in Pakistan have shot and killed at least 20 workers at a dam construction site, authorities said.Gunmen in Pakistan have shot and killed at least 20 workers at a dam construction site, authorities said.
The violence targeted the Gobdan area of the Turbat district in south-western Baluchistan province, a region where nationalist and separatist Baluch groups have fought against the Islamabad-based government for years. However no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, a country that faces a deadly Taliban insurgency and threats from other Islamic extremists. The violence targeted the Gobdan area of the Turbat district in south-western Baluchistan province, a region where nationalist and separatist Baluch groups have fought against the Islamabad-based government for years. However no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, in a country that faces a deadly Taliban insurgency and threats from other Islamic extremists.
A large group of gunmen attacked the labour camp near the dam being built, overpowering eight security guards and killing sleeping workers before fleeing, government commissioner Pasand Khan Buledi, of the Makran division, said. Buledi gave the casualty figure and said the attack also wounded three people.A large group of gunmen attacked the labour camp near the dam being built, overpowering eight security guards and killing sleeping workers before fleeing, government commissioner Pasand Khan Buledi, of the Makran division, said. Buledi gave the casualty figure and said the attack also wounded three people.
Buledi said 16 of the dead were from Pakistan’s Punjab province and four were from Sindh province. He said the eight guards, all from Baluchistan, were unharmed in the attack.Buledi said 16 of the dead were from Pakistan’s Punjab province and four were from Sindh province. He said the eight guards, all from Baluchistan, were unharmed in the attack.
Previous separatist attacks have seen gunmen kill people from Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, over what they describe as exploitation of their region. Those from Baluchistan are often let go.Previous separatist attacks have seen gunmen kill people from Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, over what they describe as exploitation of their region. Those from Baluchistan are often let go.
Baluchistan’s home minister Sarfaraz Bugti told the news channel Geo TV that Pakistan’s paramilitary Frontier Corps was searching in the nearby mountains for the attackers.Baluchistan’s home minister Sarfaraz Bugti told the news channel Geo TV that Pakistan’s paramilitary Frontier Corps was searching in the nearby mountains for the attackers.
“We will chase them down and brought them to justice,” Bugti said. “We need help in this war against terrorists. Alone, we cannot fight.”“We will chase them down and brought them to justice,” Bugti said. “We need help in this war against terrorists. Alone, we cannot fight.”
A Baluchistan government spokesman, Jan Mohammad Buledi, said the government would offer the families of the deceased 1m rupees (around £6,800) each.A Baluchistan government spokesman, Jan Mohammad Buledi, said the government would offer the families of the deceased 1m rupees (around £6,800) each.
Baluchistan is the scene of an insurgency by separatists who want substantial shares of revenue from gas and mineral resources and complete autonomy from Islamabad. Islamic militants also operate in the area.Baluchistan is the scene of an insurgency by separatists who want substantial shares of revenue from gas and mineral resources and complete autonomy from Islamabad. Islamic militants also operate in the area.
Baluch and human rights activists say Pakistani forces detained their people for years without bringing them to court, sometimes killing them and dumping their bodies in the desert. Three years ago, the Voice for Baluch Missing Persons organisation handed the United Nations a list of 12,000 names of poeple it said were missing. Baluch and human rights activists say Pakistani forces detained their people for years without bringing them to court, sometimes killing them and dumping their bodies in the desert. Three years ago, the Voice for Baluch Missing Persons organisation handed the United Nations a list of 12,000 names of people it said were missing.
The disappearances in south-west Baluchistan began rising in the mid-2000s, when Gen Pervez Musharraf’s government cracked down on insurgents there. The government repeatedly has denied the allegations, with some saying many of the missing were criminals in hiding, had joined militant groups or had been abducted by others. The disappearances in south-west Baluchistan began rising in the mid-2000s, when Gen Pervez Musharraf’s government cracked down on insurgents there. The government has repeatedly denied the allegations, with some saying many of the missing were criminals in hiding, had joined militant groups or had been abducted by others.
Saturday’s violence was the deadliest recent attack to target civilians in the region. In September 2012, 10 labourers and five tribesmen in a labour camp were gunned down in the province’s Khuzdar district.Saturday’s violence was the deadliest recent attack to target civilians in the region. In September 2012, 10 labourers and five tribesmen in a labour camp were gunned down in the province’s Khuzdar district.