Quetta–At least 15 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in a wave of coordinated attacks across Balochistan over the past few weeks, with multiple Baloch armed groups claiming responsibility, according to local media reports on Monday.
The attacks were carried out by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) in several districts, including Kech, Panjgur, Turbat, Surab and Naseerabad.
In a statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said fighters attacked a Pakistani Army post in the Tejaban area of Kech district on December 23 using automatic weapons and grenade-launcher rounds. The group claimed two soldiers were killed and surveillance cameras at the post were destroyed.
The BLA also said it targeted a military vehicle on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route in the Katgari area of Panjgur district on December 25. According to the group, a remote-controlled explosive device killed six Pakistani personnel and injured four others.
In a separate incident, the BLA claimed responsibility for planting explosives that destroyed a communication tower used by Pakistani forces in the Dank area of Turbat on Sunday, damaging what it described as active surveillance equipment.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) said it carried out a roadblock operation on the RCD Highway at Bathgu Cross in Surab district on December 27. BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch said fighters intercepted vehicles at the checkpoint when a convoy of Pakistani security forces escorting trucks linked to the Saindak mining project arrived.
The BLF claimed that its fighters simultaneously attacked the escort vehicles, killing five security personnel and injuring several others, while causing heavy damage to both the security convoy and project vehicles.
Separately, the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) said its fighters exchanged fire with a Pakistani forces convoy between Notal and Bakhtiarabad in Naseerabad district on Saturday night. BRG spokesperson Dostain Baloch said the clash lasted nearly an hour, resulting in the deaths of two Pakistani personnel and injuries to several others before the fighters withdrew.
The BRG reiterated that it would continue its attacks “until the freedom of Balochistan,” according to local reports.
Pakistani authorities have not yet issued a detailed official statement on the incidents. Balochistan has witnessed a surge in insurgent attacks in recent months, targeting security forces, infrastructure projects and convoys in the restive province. (Source: IANS)
