A violent armed confrontation between rival mining groups in Abbottabad turned deadly on Tuesday morning, leaving one man dead and three others critically wounded in what police describe as a targeted attack on a phosphate mining operation.
Breakfast Ambush Turns Deadly
The incident unfolded at Phosphate Block A in Tarnawai Mandriyan area within the jurisdiction of Mangal Police Station. According to police reports and local witnesses, armed assailants stormed the mining site owned by Aurangzeb Khan while workers were gathered for their morning meal.
Armed members of the Saleem Shah and Yaqoob Khan groups allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on the unsuspecting workers, creating chaos at the remote mining location. The attack appeared to be a coordinated assault by the rival mining factions seeking to control the valuable phosphate resources in the area.
Casualties and Immediate Aftermath
The shooting resulted in the immediate death of Jahangir, identified as a long-time associate and colleague of mine owner Aurangzeb Khan. He sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the initial volley of fire and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three other workers suffered serious injuries in the attack: Muhammad Amin, Shah Zaman (son of Mir Jalal, residents of Khyber), and Sabz Ali. All three victims sustained critical gunshot wounds and required emergency medical attention.
Local authorities and fellow workers quickly arranged for the transportation of the injured to Ayub Teaching Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment for their serious conditions. Medical staff at the hospital confirmed the three injured men remain in critical but stable condition.
Police Response and Investigation
Law enforcement officials from Mangal Police Station have launched a comprehensive investigation into the violent incident. Police sources indicate that the clash represents an escalation in ongoing tensions between competing mining groups operating in the phosphate-rich region of Abbottabad.
The area has been cordoned off for forensic examination as authorities work to gather evidence and identify the specific individuals responsible for the attack. Police are pursuing multiple leads and have intensified patrols in the mining district to prevent further violence between the rival factions.
This incident highlights the growing concerns about mining-related violence in the Abbottabad region, where competition for valuable mineral resources has frequently led to confrontations between different groups. Local community leaders are calling for increased security presence and stricter regulation of mining operations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
