At least 10 people lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries after an explosion targeted a pickup truck transporting coal mine workers in Balochistan’s Harnai district on Friday, officials confirmed.

Harnai Deputy Commissioner Hazrat Wali Kakar stated that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) detonating in the Coal Mines Area PMDC 94, located in Harnai’s Shahrag region. The bodies of the deceased and the injured were transported to the Shahrag Basic Health Unit for medical attention.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene promptly, and an investigation has been initiated, according to Balochistan Government Spokesperson Shahid Rind. Preliminary findings suggest that the explosive device was planted on the roadside.

Identity documents reviewed by Dawn.com revealed that the deceased miners were residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district. Ali Bash Khan, General Secretary of the KP Coalmine Workers Federation, also confirmed that the victims were from Shangla.

Maqsood Ahmad, the uncle of one of the victims, Iqbal Hussain, shared with Dawn.com that only male family members were aware of Hussain’s death and were withholding the news from the rest of the family until his body arrived in Shangla’s Lilownai area. Ahmad described Hussain as a hardworking individual who had traveled to Balochistan two months ago to support his family financially.

The family is now preparing for the arrival of Hussain’s body and making arrangements to accommodate mourners.

Meanwhile, Ibadullah Khan, the opposition leader in the KP Assembly, contacted Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the chief secretary, and the inspector general of police, urging them to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care. CM Bugti assured that all necessary medical facilities would be provided.

Dr. Khan also called for immediate action against those responsible for the attack.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast in strong terms and expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, as reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan.