Deadly Roadside Bomb Blast in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province
Seven Soldiers Killed and Many Injured
Baloch Liberation Army Takes Responsibility
A roadside bomb blast targeted a security forces convoy in Balochistan province, Pakistan, on Sunday. The attack resulted in the death of at least seven soldiers and injured many more. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that 90 military personnel were killed.
Incident in Noshki District
The incident occurred in Noshki district as a convoy of seven buses and two vehicles was traveling from Quetta to Taftan, near the country’s border with Iran. Initial findings suggest a suicide attack.
Army Helicopters Transport Wounded
Army helicopters were deployed to transport the wounded, and surveillance drones were launched over the area. Police officials reported that the explosion also severely damaged a second bus nearby.
Bomber Used Explosive-Laden Vehicle
Evidence from the scene indicates that a bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the military buses. The toll could rise, and the injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital.
Baloch Liberation Army Statement
The Baloch Liberation Army stated that its Majeed Brigade targeted a convoy of the Pakistani military in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack near Rakhshan Mill on the RCD Highway in Noshki. The convoy consisted of eight buses, one of which was completely destroyed in the explosion.
Balochistan Chief Minister Condemns Attack
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the latest attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives. “Those who play with the peace of Balochistan will be brought to a tragic end,” Bugti said in a press release.
Pakistan Prime Minister Condemns Incident
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident, which comes amid rising security threats in regions bordering Afghanistan.
Balochistan Liberation Army Seeks Independence
The Balochistan Liberation Army has been seeking independence from Pakistan and was designated a terrorist organization by both Pakistan and the United States in 2006.
Decades of Unrest in Balochistan
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province and has been marred by decades of unrest. The ethnic Baloch population has long accused the Pakistani government of discrimination, which Islamabad has denied.
Attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
In a separate development, authorities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province claimed that at least two policemen and a private security guard were killed in overnight attacks in Karak and Peshawar districts. The Pakistan Taliban said it had carried out 16 attacks on police in the past 24 hours.
Provincial Chief Minister Condemns Violence
Provincial Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the violence but did not share further details. Over the past few years, the country has seen a surge in attacks by the Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, which is ideologically aligned with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Over 1,500 people were reportedly killed in such attacks in 2024.
Taliban Denies Involvement in Attacks
The Taliban has denied involvement in the attacks.
