Militants attacked a paramilitary checkpoint in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Saturday, killing seven troops in a pre-dawn assault that lasted several hours, according to local officials.
The attack occurred in the Kalat district, about 150 kilometers south of Quetta, the provincial capital. Eighteen paramilitary soldiers were also wounded, several critically, and were taken to nearby hospitals, said police officer Habib-ur-Rehman.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in a statement, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack in an email to a Reuters reporter. The BLA, which has escalated its operations in recent weeks, has long sought independence for Balochistan, a region rich in natural resources but plagued by poverty and unrest.
Recent Escalation in Attacks
The BLA has carried out several high-profile attacks recently. Last week, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a railway station targeting Pakistani troops. That attack killed 27 people, including 19 soldiers who were in civilian clothing.
Last month, the BLA also claimed a suicide bombing near Karachi International Airport, which killed two Chinese engineers. The attack underscored the group’s opposition to Chinese investments in the region, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Background on Balochistan’s Conflict
Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has been the site of a decades-long insurgency by separatist groups seeking greater autonomy and a larger share of the province’s resources. The region is also home to Gwadar Port, a key component of China’s CPEC project, which has drawn both economic opportunities and local resentment.
The Pakistani government has struggled to contain the insurgency, which has led to frequent attacks on security forces, civilians, and foreign nationals working on development projects. The recent uptick in violence highlights the enduring instability in Balochistan, despite efforts to improve security in the region.
