Imran Ahmed
Insurgencies, ethnic tensions and confrontations between local separatist groups and state security forces have long marred Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The violent attack on 11 October 2024 at the Junaid Coal Company mines in Balochistan’s Duki district, where armed militants killed 20 miners and injured several others, serves as a stark reminder of the region’s ongoing instability.
Although no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, the fact that ordinary labourers were targeted in such brutality highlights the profound unrest and discontent that permeates Balochistan, particularly within its resource extraction and development sectors. Despite the substantial presence of both private and state security forces in the province tasked with safeguarding lucrative mining and infrastructure development projects, violence remains a frequent occurrence in the region. This ongoing unrest raises pressing concerns about the efficacy of a security-centric approach to managing insurgency, safeguarding development projects and maintaining stability. The recent violence in Balochistan reveals a clear gap between security measures and the everyday challenges faced by the local communities. It also shows the harmful effects this approach can have on civilian populations.