By Kiyya Baloch
A fleet of oil tankers is attacked, as local tensions flare over major development projects.
In an attack on Monday, unknown militants set at least five oil tankers on fire and abducted four drivers reportedly carrying fuel for a Chinese company working on the Saindak Project in Balochistan’s Chaghi district, outside the provincial capital Quetta. Police sources said the privately owned tankers were targeted because they supply oil to a Chinese company working on a major project in mineral-rich Balochistan province.
The attack took place as Pakistan prepares to hand over its deep sea Gwadar port to Chinese interests in the coming month. The atmosphere surrounding the handover is tense.
According to reports, militants with sophisticated weapons began firing indiscriminately on the tankers near the Kirdi Gap area of Mastung district late Monday morning. Police and frontier corps are investigating the attack. Efforts have also been made to trace the missing drivers.
Although it was unclear who was behind the incident, and no group has claimed responsibility, local media suggested that Baloch insurgents were involved. Baloch insurgents have for some years been attacking government and private property, including Chinese facilities in Balochistan. Tankers have recently become a preferred target.
Read the full story at The Diplomat