Gunmen Attack Laborers in Gwadar, Pakistan
On Wednesday night, gunmen stormed into a residential quarters near Fish Harbour in Gwadar, Pakistan, and opened fire on sleeping laborers. Seven workers were killed, and one was injured. The victims were identified as hailing from Sahiwal in Punjab.
Police have launched an investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and have transported the injured worker to the hospital for medical attention. According to a police official, the gunmen entered a house approximately 25 km east of the port city and shot the laborers. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Baloch Liberation Army’s History of Violence
A similar incident occurred in April, when the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for killing nine laborers from Punjab province. The workers were abducted and shot at close range after gunmen halted a bus. The BLA has been engaged in a protracted armed struggle with the Pakistani government, demanding a greater share of the mineral-rich province’s resources.
Gwadar’s Strategic Importance
Gwadar port is a significant location for several Beijing-backed projects under the $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) investment, which is part of the broader Belt and Road Initiative. The port’s strategic importance has attracted attention and concerns in the region.
Espionage Arrest in Gujarat, India
Meanwhile, in India, a man named Pravin Mishra was apprehended in Bharuch, Gujarat, for allegedly spying for a Pakistani intelligence agency. The Gujarat Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stated that Mishra was collecting sensitive information about the Indian Armed Forces and defense-related R&D firms via WhatsApp calls and audio chats. The CID emphasized that Mishra’s actions posed a severe security risk to the country.
