00:007 workers tragically lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Pakistan's Gwadar port
00:20city on May 9. Unidentified gunmen targeted a residential area near Gwadar fish harbour,
00:27leaving 7 dead and 1 injured. The victims, all hailing from Punjab and employed in a
00:33local barber shop, were swiftly transported to Gwadar hospital. Despite the severity of
00:38the incident, no group has claimed responsibility yet. Expressing deep concern, Baluchistan
00:44Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bhukti denounced the attack and vowed to employ all necessary measures
00:50to capture the perpetrators. Home Minister Mir Zia-Ullah Langao labelled the incident
00:57as open terrorism and pledged a thorough investigation. On the other hand, Baluchistan Home Minister
01:03Mir Zia-Ullah Langao said that the killing of innocent labourers was a cowardly act.
01:09A Baluchistan government spokesperson and administrative officers were in touch with
01:13the district administration and reached the spot where the attack occurred. The spokesperson
01:18added that the families of the victims were contacted and an investigation into the incident
01:23has been ordered. This tragic event follows a recent spate in violence in Baluchistan,
01:29including the abduction of nine bus passengers by militants in Mushki district. In another
01:35incident, security forces successfully thwarted an attack on the Gwadar port authority colony.
01:41The government remains resolute in its commitment to combat terrorism and ensure the safety
01:46of its citizens. Gwadar is the site of several Beijing-backed projects under the $65 billion
01:54China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, i.e. CPEC, investment as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
02:00Baluchistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency.
02:07Baloch insurgent groups have previously carried out several attacks targeting the $60 billion
02:13China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. Thousands of Chinese personnel are working
02:18in Pakistan on several projects being carried out under the AGs of the CPEC.
02:24Baluchistan faces a double threat by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militants.
02:30The incidents of terrorism have increased in Pakistan since the Taliban took over the
02:34government in Kabul, dashing hopes in Islamabad that a friendly government in Afghanistan
02:39would help to tackle militancy.
02:42According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies,
02:47Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror
02:57attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023, marking a record six-year high.
03:09For more information visit www.dfid.gov.uk
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