At least ten people were killed in an armed attack on a copper and gold mining project in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. Officials said on Thursday that around forty gunmen on motorcycles and other vehicles attacked the National Resources Private Limited (NRL) project in the Darigwan area of Chagai district on Wednesday. According to a local administrative officer, the dead included seven workers and three security personnel.

The officer added that there were reports of some workers being taken hostage, though this information could not be confirmed. Another local police official, speaking anonymously, confirmed details of the attack. In a statement issued Wednesday night, NRL acknowledged the incident and said security forces responded quickly and secured the area.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assault. However, in recent years, local ethnic separatist groups have increased attacks in the region, often targeting mining projects.