Key Points:
- Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claims killing 90 Pakistani soldiers in convoy attack.
- Official Pakistani sources confirm at least 7 soldiers dead, over 20 injured.
- Attack involved suicide bombing and heavy gunfire near Noshki, Balochistan.
- Incident follows recent deadly hijacking of Jaffar Express train by BLA militants.
Balochistan: A deadly assault on a Pakistani military convoy in Noshki, Balochistan, has left at least seven soldiers dead and more than 20 injured, according to official Pakistani authorities. However, the separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that as many as 90 Pakistani army personnel were killed.
The violent incident unfolded Sunday morning on the strategically important RCD Highway near Rakshan Mill in Noshki district. According to eyewitnesses and local media reports, a vehicle packed with explosives deliberately rammed into one of the eight buses carrying Pakistani military personnel towards Taftan, near the Iranian border. The powerful explosion completely destroyed one bus and severely damaged another. Immediately following the blast, heavily armed militants opened fire on the convoy, resulting in fierce gun battles between insurgents and security forces.
BLA spokesperson Ziand Baloch confirmed responsibility for the attack, stating that their elite suicide squad “Majeed Brigade” executed the assault. “Our fighters targeted a convoy of occupying Pakistani military forces. One bus was completely destroyed by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED),” Ziand Baloch said in a statement released shortly after the attack.
The spokesperson further claimed that immediately following the explosion, BLA’s “Fatah Squad” advanced swiftly to surround another bus, systematically killing all soldiers inside. The separatist group insists their coordinated operation resulted in at least 90 fatalities among Pakistani troops.
Pakistani authorities have officially acknowledged only seven fatalities so far but admitted that casualties could rise significantly as rescue operations continue. More than 20 wounded soldiers have been rushed to nearby hospitals, with emergency services declaring high alert across medical facilities in Noshki and surrounding areas.
Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack strongly and vowed strict action against those responsible. Pakistan Army aviation helicopters and drones have been deployed to monitor and secure the region while rescue operations continue.
This deadly attack comes just days after another major incident involving the hijacking of Pakistan’s Jaffar Express passenger train by BLA insurgents on March 11. In that earlier incident, militants seized control of the train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar carrying over 400 passengers. The attackers demanded release of imprisoned Baloch leaders and withdrawal of Pakistani officials from Balochistan within a 48-hour ultimatum period.
Pakistani security forces launched a major operation against hijackers near Bolan Pass, resulting in intense fighting lasting nearly 30 hours. Authorities later confirmed killing all 33 militants involved and rescuing around 300 hostages. At least 64 people died during this tragic episode, including militants and security personnel.
The recent escalation highlights growing tensions in Pakistan’s restive southwestern province of Balochistan, where separatist groups like the BLA have intensified attacks against military targets and infrastructure projects linked to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Pakistani government classifies BLA as a terrorist organization; similar designations have been made by both the United States and United Kingdom due to its violent activities.
