Three coal miners were abducted by armed men in the Duki coal field area of Balochistan on Friday night, according to officials.
The miners have been identified as Johar Khan Ishaqzai, Shah Khan, and Bacha Khan Yousafzai. Two of them hailed from the Shangla area of Swat, while the third was from Quetta.
A significant presence of Levies Force and other law enforcement agencies quickly responded to the situation, engaging the armed kidnappers in an exchange of fire. However, the assailants managed to escape with the miners.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, authorities suspect the involvement of a banned outfit, indicating a possible motive of ransom.
In response to these incidents, hundreds of coal mine workers staged a sit-in demanding greater safety measures and protection for miners in Balochistan. This protest follows not only the recent kidnappings in Duki but also a methane gas explosion in the Zardalo area of Harnai that resulted in the loss of 12 lives.
Led by Pir Mohammad Kakar, Secretary General of the Pakistan Workers’ Federation, Balochistan chapter, the protesters gathered at the Quetta Press Club, raising slogans against mine owners and relevant authorities.
Labour leaders Karim Harper, Malik Saeed Lehri, and Usman Ali addressed the crowd, condemning the abductions and lamenting the frequent loss of lives among coal miners in Balochistan. They highlighted the lack of adequate safety measures and criticized the apparent indifference of regulatory bodies such as the mines directorate.
Mr Kakar called for compensation of Rs2.5 million for each victim of the recent Harnai explosion, stressing the urgent need for improved safety protocols in the mining industry to prevent further tragedies.
