A suicide bomber targeted a bus convoy of security forces in Naushki, Balochistan, killing five and injuring ten. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, following a prior attack where they took hostages from a train. Security forces retaliated, killing several attackers. Balochistan, rich in resources, faces ongoing violence amid ethnic tensions.
On Sunday, a suicide car bomber targeted a convoy of buses transporting security forces in Naushki, Balochistan, southwestern Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least five officers and injuring 10 others. Local police chief Zafar Zamanani reported the incident, noting that some of the injured are in critical condition and required hospitalization.
Following the explosion, authorities indicated that separatist rebels opened fire on the buses. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) later claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident comes on the heels of a previous attack by the same group, where they took approximately 400 hostages from a train, leading to 26 fatalities before the operation concluded with 33 attackers killed.
Balochistan chief minister Sarfraz Bugti announced that security forces retaliated effectively, resulting in the death of at least four attackers during the incident. Known for its oil and mineral wealth, Balochistan remains Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province, where ethnic Baloch residents allege systemic discrimination by the central government, a claim that Islamabad refutes. The BLA continues to advocate for independence from Pakistani governance.
The recent suicide car bombing in Naushki highlights the ongoing violence perpetrated by separatist groups in Balochistan. With five officers dead and many injured, the incident showcases the persistent threat to security forces in the region. The BLA’s involvement indicates a continuing struggle for independence, exacerbated by allegations of governmental discrimination against ethnic Baloch residents. The response by security forces underscores the volatile nature of the area and ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
