The site was extremely damaged with attackers setting several vehicles and heavy machinery under fire.

Officials told The Express Tribune that the incident occurred in the remote Kaleri area of Naal, about 80 kilometres from Khuzdar.

The attackers reportedly blocked the highway before attacking the camp.

The company was working on a road project linking Khuzdar to Basima in Washuk district.

It is reportedly a part of Balochistan's development plan.

According to Levies officer Ali Akbar, the attackers set fire to machinery and vehicles at the site, damaging at least eight, including heavy equipment and transport trucks, reported The Express Tribune.

“The gunmen then forcibly took several workers with them,” he said.

The labourers belonged to the Sindh province. They went to Balochistan to work on the project.

Manager Zulfiqar Ahmed of the construction company D-Baloch, confirmed to the newspaper that two of the labourers have been released.

“Eighteen labourers are still missing,” he said.

“The attack has severely affected our operations and created fear among the staff,” he said.

Security forces have launched a search operation to find the missing labourers.

The area has been cordoned off.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Officials told the newspaper that the armed Baloch insurgent groups have been active in the region and have previously targeted road construction projects and non-local workers, accusing them of representing external interests.