Quetta (Web Desk): At least 11 coal miners were killed and several others injured when terrorists opened fire on them in Mach district of Balochistan on Sunday.
According to police, the coal miners were kidnapped by unidentified armed men and taken to nearby mountains where they were shot dead.
A heavy contingent of police, Frontier Corps, and district administration officials reached the site after the incident.
As per the initial investigation the attackers identified the miners as being from the Shia Hazara community and the gunmen took them away for execution, leaving others unharmed.
Members of the Hazara community in Quetta blocked the Western Bypass and set fire to tyres to protest against the killings.
Prime Minister Imran Khan while condemning the incident said it is yet another cowardly inhumane act of terrorism.
In a tweet on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that he has asked the FC to use all resources to apprehend these killers and bring them to justice.
He said the families of the victims will not be left abandoned by the government.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal has also strongly condemned the terrorist attack and sought the report about the incident.
In a statement, he said the attempt to derail peace in the province will not be allowed and those who targeted innocent miners do not deserve any mercy.
Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed while condemning the killings asked the Balochistan inspector general of police to submit a report on the incident.
"Terrorists will not succeed in their nefarious objectives. Elements involved in the incident are not deserving of any laxity," the interior minister said.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the incident and termed it as "the worst form of terrorism".
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau while condemning the brutal incident vowed that the evils behind the tragedy will be unveiled soon.