Pakistani troops clashed with insurgents in the restive northwestern region of Balochistan, leaving 18 paramilitary security forces and 23 rebels dead in one of the heaviest clashes in recent years. The military said troops engaged with the insurgents who erected barricades on a key highway in Kalat, bordering Afghanistan.
The operation led to the successful removal of the roadblock, but 18 security personnel lost their lives during the engagement. The military vowed that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, praising the security forces for eliminating the terrorists. They promised to continue operations in Balochistan until the insurgents are eliminated.
The Baloch National Army separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that its fighters achieved their targeted objectives. The BLA often targets security forces, civilians, and foreigners, particularly Chinese workers on multibillion-dollar projects in Pakistan.
Balochistan has been a hub of insurgency for years, with several separatist groups staging attacks against security forces seeking independence. The province is also home to an array of militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, which enjoys backing from the BLA.
The BLA and Pakistani Taliban have been using arms obtained from neighboring Afghanistan since the Afghan Taliban’s takeover in 2021. The Islamic State group also has a presence in the province.
Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/02/01/18-pakistani-soldiers-killed-fighting-separatist-rebels-balochistan.html