Baloch insurgents have claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Pakistani military convoy, alleging that 90 soldiers were killed in the assault — making it one of the deadliest attacks in recent years in the restive Balochistan province.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), in a detailed statement, said that its elite Fidayee unit assaulted on Sunday, targeting a convoy traveling from Quetta to Taftan near Rakhshan Mill on the RCD Highway in Noshki district.
According to official Pakistani military sources, at least seven soldiers were killed, and 21 others were injured, but the BLA disputes this figure, claiming that at least 90 soldiers lost their lives in a coordinated, multi-phase attack.
How the Attack Unfolded
The BLA statement revealed that the operation began when a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), reportedly a suicide attack, struck one of the buses in the convoy, causing a massive explosion. Moments later, Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) were fired at another bus, crippling it and trapping soldiers inside.
Following the blasts, BLA’s Fateh Squad surrounded the disabled bus and allegedly eliminated all military personnel on board, intensifying the death toll.
A senior Pakistani security official confirmed that the convoy — consisting of seven buses and two security vehicles — was ambushed and noted that Army Aviation helicopters and drones were immediately dispatched for rescue and reconnaissance operations in the affected zone.
“The attack was unprecedented in scale and coordination, involving multiple assault units,” said a source familiar with the investigation, though declining to comment on the BLA’s death toll claims.
Growing Insurgency in Balochistan
This high-profile attack comes just days after Baloch insurgents hijacked a passenger train carrying over 440 people, signaling a sharp escalation in the insurgency that has plagued Balochistan for years. The BLA’s recent operations appear to demonstrate increased tactical sophistication and boldness, raising serious concerns for Pakistan’s security establishment.
In its statement, the BLA’s Majeed Brigade — known for carrying out high-risk suicide operations — claimed responsibility for leading the VBIED attack, while the Fateh Squad executed the follow-up assault.
“This operation was carried out to avenge Pakistani military atrocities in Balochistan. The fight will continue until the independence of Balochistan is achieved,” the BLA said, vowing more attacks in the near future.
Pakistani Government Yet to Respond
As of now, Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense and ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) have not issued an official statement confirming or denying the insurgents’ casualty claims. However, security forces are reportedly on high alert, with intensified patrols and drone surveillance being carried out in the region.
Meanwhile, local sources report heightened tension and a heavy military presence across Noshki and adjoining areas as authorities brace for possible follow-up attacks.
Regional Implications
The Baloch insurgency, fueled by demands for greater autonomy and control over Balochistan’s natural resources, poses a growing challenge to Pakistan’s internal security and regional stability. This latest attack, if confirmed, could further strain Islamabad’s efforts to project stability, especially as it seeks foreign investments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key project passing through Balochistan.
With the BLA promising to release more details soon, the scale of Sunday’s convoy attack may have deeper ramifications for Pakistan’s military strategy in the region.
