A vehicle transporting coal miners was targeted by a roadside bomb in the turbulent region of southwestern Pakistan on Friday, resulting in the death of at least 11 individuals and injuring five others, according to local officials.

The incident occurred in Harnai, a district located within Balochistan province, as noted by Wali Kakar, a government administrator. Following the explosion, the police swiftly took the deceased and the injured to a nearby hospital, where an investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.

According to Wasim Baig, a hospital spokesperson, nine bodies were received at the facility, and two individuals critically injured later succumbed to their wounds. At least two patients remain in grave condition.

Reports indicate that the victims hailed from the northwestern region of Swat Valley as well as various locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has experienced a troubling increase in militant activity in recent years.

In response to the attack, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and provincial officials expressed their outrage and condemned the violence. They have directed local authorities and law enforcement to identify and apprehend those responsible for this heinous act against innocent workers.

While no group has claimed responsibility thus far, authorities suspect the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) separatist organization may be behind the attack, as they have previously been held accountable for assaults targeting laborers from different regions of the country.

Balochistan, known for its rich oil and mineral deposits, has been the center of an enduring insurgency, with several separatist factions conducting attacks against security personnel and civilians in pursuit of independence. The province is also home to numerous militant groups actively involved in violent activities.