In a significant escalation of violence in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, seven soldiers of the Pakistan Army were killed on Tuesday when their military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), according to an official statement from the Pakistani military.
The attack took place in the Kalat district, a region frequently targeted by separatist militant groups. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent insurgent outfit operating in the province, claimed responsibility for the deadly explosion. The incident comes just days after the BLA ambushed a police-escorted prison van, taking five police officers hostage after releasing the prisoners.
According to senior police sources, approximately 30 to 40 heavily armed militants blocked a major highway and intercepted the prison transport late on Friday. The attackers later set fire to multiple government buildings and a local bank. A rescue operation for the abducted officers is currently underway, with security forces reportedly killing two militants during initial engagements.
Balochistan, a mineral-rich province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has long been a hotbed of separatist unrest. The BLA and other groups frequently target security forces, state infrastructure, and projects involving foreign investment, especially those linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Tuesday’s attack follows a similar bombing in April that killed four troops near Quetta, and a hostage crisis in March involving the hijacking of a passenger train. The recurring violence highlights the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan and the mounting challenge facing Pakistan’s efforts to stabilize the region.
