Balochistan [Pakistan]: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for two deadly attacks in Bolan and Kech districts of Balochistan, which resulted in the deaths of 14 Pakistani Army personnel.
In the first incident, the BLA’s Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS) executed a remote-controlled IED blast targeting a military convoy in the Shorkand area of Mach, Bolan. The explosion completely destroyed the vehicle and killed all 12 soldiers onboard, including Special Operations Commander Tariq Imran and Subedar Umar Farooq.
A second attack occurred in the Kulag Tigran area of Kech, where BLA fighters used a remote-controlled IED against a Bomb Disposal Squad during a clearance operation. Two army personnel were killed in the strike.
Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson for the BLA, issued a sharp statement condemning the Pakistani Army as a “mercenary armed gang” acting on behalf of foreign interests. He accused the army of prioritising the agendas of Chinese investors and international financiers over the welfare of the local population. “The attacks on this mercenary occupying army by the freedom fighters of Baloch land will continue with greater intensity,” he declared.
These attacks underscore the persistent unrest in Balochistan, a region long plagued by separatist movements. Baloch nationalist groups argue that the Pakistani state exploits the province’s abundant mineral wealth while leaving local communities in poverty. Many view the military’s presence as an oppressive force rather than a legitimate national defence.
The growing resentment over political marginalisation, human rights abuses, and economic exclusion continues to fuel the decades-old insurgency, deepening the divide between Baloch nationalists and federal authorities.