Baloch Freedom Fighters Claim 90 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Attack

International Desk

In recent days, attacks on the Pakistani military have escalated in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a group fighting for Baloch independence, has claimed responsibility for these attacks.

On Sunday, March 16, a devastating attack on a Pakistani military convoy in the Roksan Mill area of Noshki district left at least five soldiers dead and over 30 injured, according to reports. However, the BLA has claimed that 90 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the attack, though this figure has not been independently verified.

This incident follows another major attack by the BLA on March 12, when they targeted the Jaffar Express, a passenger train, and took around 440 passengers hostage. The 36-hour hostage crisis ended after a Pakistani military operation resulted in the deaths of 33 attackers and the rescue of 354 hostages. However, 26 hostages, including 18 soldiers, were killed during the operation. The BLA claimed they executed 214 hostages because the Pakistani government refused to release their prisoners of war.

In the latest Noshki attack, the BLA’s Majid Brigade used a car bomb to target the Pakistani military convoy, leading to intense gunfire between the two sides. Pakistani police reported that five Frontier Corps soldiers were killed and several others injured. Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, condemned the attack, stating, “Those who disrupt peace in Balochistan will face dire consequences.”

Balochistan has witnessed decades-long movements for autonomy. The BLA is fighting for an independent Baloch state, protesting the exploitation of the region’s mineral resources and discrimination by the Pakistani central government. In recent years, the group has intensified its attacks, particularly targeting infrastructure and military installations linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Pakistani military has blamed terrorist leaders based in Afghanistan for the attacks, claiming that the attackers received instructions from Afghan territory. They have called on the Afghan Taliban government to curb terrorist activities on its soil. Meanwhile, Pakistan has also accused India of being behind the attacks, though no concrete evidence has been presented.

These attacks highlight the vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s security system and the growing unrest in Balochistan. Analysts believe that the BLA’s increasing strength and bold attack strategies pose a significant challenge to the Pakistani government. The situation could also strain Pakistan’s relations with China, as concerns grow over the safety of Chinese investments and workers in Balochistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the attacks and vowed to continue operations until the terrorists are eliminated. However, uncertainty remains over when peace will return to Balochistan amid the ongoing conflict.