Twelve soldiers of the Pakistan Army lost their lives when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Balochistan. The attack was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group advocating for the region’s independence.
According to a statement from the Pakistan Army, “Terrorists belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army targeted a security forces’ vehicle with an improvised explosive device in the general area Mach, Kachhi district.” The explosion led to the destruction of the vehicle and claimed the lives of the soldiers aboard, including Special Operations Commander Tariq Imran and Subedar Umar Farooq.
Following the incident, the army commenced a sanitization operation in the area to eliminate any remaining threats. This attack stands as a grim reminder of the ongoing violence in Balochistan, a province that has been marred by conflict for nearly two decades. Local ethnic Baloch groups accuse the federal government of exploiting the province’s rich mineral resources, fueling grievances.
Earlier, Pakistan’s security forces had succeeded in killing 10 militants in separate operations in Balochistan’s Kech and Ziarat districts, indicating a continued crackdown on militant activities in the region. The BLA has a history of carrying out attacks against military personnel; a notable incident in March involved the hijacking of the Jaffar Express, resulting in the deaths of 21 civilians and four soldiers.
While the situation remains tense, the response from security forces suggests a persistent effort to combat militancy and restore order in the region. The focus on eliminating terrorist threats is crucial for long-term peace and security in Balochistan.