Seven workers abducted in armed raid on Chagai mine

Seven workers were abducted after a group of armed men raided a private mining site in Chagai district

Seven workers were abducted after a group of armed men raided a private mining site in Chagai district and allegedly took away vehicles, fuel and other equipment worth millions of rupees.

According to sources, the incident occurred around 1pm on Tuesday at a mine in Mahian Kaur, located approximately 15 to 18 kilometres west of Chagai town.

Eight unidentified armed men reportedly arrived at the mining site on motorcycles. They took control of the facility and held the workers hostage before taking seven employees away with them.

Four of the abducted workers were from Gilgit. They were identified as Wajahat, Wajid, Shahid and Sabir.

The other three workers were locals. They were identified as Ziauddin from Dalbandin, Shah Saleem from Mahian in Chagai and Saeed Muhammad, who is also from Mahian.

Sources said the armed men remained at the mining site for several hours. They reportedly stayed there until around 7pm before leaving with the hostages and equipment.

The attackers allegedly took a Zambad vehicle and a four-wheel-drive pickup from the site. A motorcycle was also reportedly taken.

More than 20 solar panels were among the items removed from the mining facility. The attackers also allegedly took bedding, kitchen equipment and other supplies used by the workers.

A large quantity of fuel was also taken. Sources said the stolen fuel included around 2,500 litres of diesel and 1,500 litres of petrol.

The attackers reportedly carried out the operation without facing resistance. They then left the area with the seven workers and the stolen property.

The incident was reported to the relevant authorities soon after the attackers departed.

Local administration and security officials have launched efforts to trace the abducted workers and recover the vehicles and other property.

Search efforts are continuing in the area, while authorities are also investigating the identity and motives of the armed men.

The abduction has raised fresh security concerns for workers and private mining operations in Chagai, where remote mining sites can be difficult to secure.

At the time of reporting, there was no confirmed information about the whereabouts or condition of the seven abducted workers.