In a brazen assault, heavily-armed insurgents from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched an attack on the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the volatile Balochistan province of Pakistan. However, security forces swiftly intervened, thwarting the attack and eliminating eight militants, albeit at the cost of two soldiers' lives.
The BLA, a separatist group vehemently opposed to China's investments in Balochistan, alleges both China and Pakistan of exploiting the province's abundant resources. Despite these accusations being dismissed by authorities, the BLA continues its armed resistance.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan's military media wing, reported that all eight assailants were neutralized during an intense exchange of gunfire with security personnel. Regrettably, two soldiers also succumbed to the skirmish.
Initially, local authorities had indicated that seven terrorists were killed in the clashes. Commissioner Makran Division Saeed Ahmed Umrani confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants breached the Gwadar Port Authority complex, triggering an ongoing clearance operation.
Substantial caches of arms, ammunition, and explosives were seized from the slain terrorists, according to the ISPR. Remarkably, the United Nations Department for Safety and Security confirmed the safety of seven personnel from three UN agencies in Gwadar, along with two UN mission agencies.
Claiming responsibility for the assault, the Majeed Brigade, a faction of the proscribed BLA, is renowned for its suicide missions, primarily targeting security forces and Chinese interests. Named after a guard who attempted to assassinate former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the brigade was established in 2011 during Bhutto's crackdown on unrest in the 1970s.
Praising the swift response of security agencies, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti emphasized a resolute message against violence, asserting that perpetrators would face no leniency from the state.
Balochistan, flanked by Iran and Afghanistan, has long grappled with insurgencies. Previous attacks by Baloch militant groups targeted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a crucial project worth USD 60 billion, with thousands of Chinese workers involved.
The province faces a dual threat from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch insurgents. The assault coincided with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's reaffirmation of zero tolerance towards cross-border terrorism.
Terrorism incidents have surged in Pakistan, exacerbated by the Taliban's ascendancy in Kabul. The Centre for Research and Security Studies reported a significant uptick in violence-related fatalities and injuries, marking a six-year high in 2023, reflecting the escalating security challenges faced by the nation.
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