ISLAMABAD: Armed men abducted 14 construction workers in two separate incidents in Balochistan’s Khuzdar and Barkhan districts, highlighting persistent security challenges in the province’s development projects.
In the first incident, unidentified gunmen stormed a company camp in the Mula area of Khuzdar, approximately 60 kilometres from the district headquarters. The attackers forcibly took away 11 workers, including the project manager. A senior police officer confirmed that the group entered the site and abducted the labourers working on a government-funded water channel project.
Six of the abducted individuals have been identified as project manager Gul Sher, Ghulam Sarwar, Abdul Malik Bugti, Maulana Bakhsh, Muhammad Irfan, and Ikhtiar. Reports indicate that six of the kidnapped workers hail from Sindh province, while five are residents of Khuzdar and other parts of Balochistan.
The second abduction occurred in Barkhan district at a crushing plant near Dhola Nadi. Over 30 armed individuals attacked the facility operated by a private construction company engaged in road-related work. They damaged the plant and abducted three workers before escaping.
Barkhan Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Khosa stated that the assailants also targeted a nearby police check-post. They disarmed three officers on duty and took their weapons along with the abducted labourers. The kidnapped workers from this site are believed to be daily-wage employees from Musakhel district.
Security forces have launched extensive search operations across both districts to locate the abducted workers and apprehend the perpetrators. No group has claimed responsibility for the incidents so far.
These abductions come amid ongoing concerns over the safety of labourers involved in infrastructure development in Balochistan. Private companies executing government projects often employ workers from other provinces, including Sindh, making them vulnerable in remote areas.
Recent patterns show repeated targeting of construction sites in Khuzdar and surrounding regions. Similar large-scale incidents in the past year involved dozens of workers being taken from camps, with some released after prolonged captivity while others faced uncertain fates.
The latest events have intensified fears among development workers and contractors. Officials note that such attacks disrupt ongoing projects, including water channel lining and road construction, which are critical for the province’s economic progress.
Authorities emphasize that the mountainous terrain in areas like Mula and Dhola Nadi provides cover for armed groups, complicating rapid response efforts. Police and levies personnel maintain check-posts, but the scale of the Barkhan assault demonstrates the challenges in securing isolated sites.
Balochistan continues to grapple with insurgency-related violence and criminal activities, including kidnappings for ransom or political motives. The provincial government has repeatedly assured enhanced security measures for development initiatives, yet incidents persist.
The abduction of 14 workers in a single day underscores the need for stronger coordination between security agencies and project operators. Recommendations include better intelligence sharing, fortified camps, and increased patrols in high-risk zones.
As search operations continue, families of the abducted labourers await news of their safe recovery. The incidents have drawn attention to the broader impact of insecurity on Balochistan’s infrastructure ambitions and the livelihoods of thousands employed in such projects.