Pakistan, April 24 -- At least nine people working at a copper and gold project site in Balochistan's Chagai district were killed in an armed attack by unidentified assailants, according to officials.

In a statement, the mining company National Resources Limited (NRL) said the attack took place on Wednesday evening, adding that security forces, including the Frontier Corps, responded promptly, secured the area and launched a clearance operation.

The company did not mention any casualties in its statement. However, local authorities confirmed the incident and nine casualties. "At least nine employees, including two security guards, were killed," a senior official of the Chagai administration said on condition of anonymity.

Police offici...