NEW DELHI: Two Pakistani soldiers lost their lives as armed assailants opened fire on security personnel in the Balochistan province. The incident occurred near Gwadar, where a bomb disposal team of the Pakistan Army was engaged in clearing landmines in the Ankara Dam area. In addition to the fatalities, four soldiers sustained injuries during the attack.
According to officials, the firing incident unfolded approximately 25 kilometers from Gwadar city.Following the assault, the deceased soldiers and the wounded were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Law enforcement agencies initiated a search operation in the region to apprehend the perpetrators behind the attack. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the assault.
Historically, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has been associated with numerous attacks in the Gwadar region. The BLA, known for its opposition to Chinese investments in Balochistan, often accuses both China and Pakistan of exploiting the province’s abundant resources. However, these allegations are consistently refuted by the authorities.
On March 24, the BLA claimed responsibility for an attack on the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. In retaliation, security forces engaged and neutralized eight militants affiliated with the banned separatist group during the confrontation.
Balochistan, situated along the borders of Iran and Afghanistan, has been plagued by a prolonged and violent insurgency. Various Baloch insurgent factions have frequently targeted projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship initiative valued at USD 60 billion.
(With agency inputs)