Pakistani troops clashed with separatist insurgents in the northwestern region of Balochistan, leaving 18 paramilitary security forces dead and 23 rebels killed. The military said troops engaged insurgents who erected roadblocks on a key highway in Kalat, bordering Afghanistan.
The security forces “successfully removed the roadblock” following the fighting overnight into Saturday morning. However, 18 security personnel died during the operation. The military vowed that the perpetrators of this heinous act would be brought to justice.
In December, Pakistan’s military claimed to have killed 925 insurgents in operations, a record high compared to the past five years. This comes as Pakistan witnessed a 40% surge in militant attacks by all groups in 2024.
The Baloch Liberation Army separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack and praised its fighters for achieving their targeted objectives. The group has been targeting security forces, civilians, and foreigners, especially Chinese workers on multibillion-dollar projects in the province.
Experts say the BLA’s capability to carry out multiple attacks and hold highways in control has increased. Abdullah Khan, managing director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, said the latest attack is one of the deadliest since last year.
Pakistan has been battling a long-running insurgency in Balochistan, with several separatist groups staging attacks for independence. The province has seen an array of militant groups active there, including the Pakistani Taliban, who are allied with the Afghan Taliban.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-baluchistan-insurgents-b49e04c3d8e124e4359c951118366857