At least five security officers were killed and more than 30 others wounded in a roadside bomb blast targeting a paramilitary bus in Noshki district, Balochistan, according to police officials. The attack, which occurred just days after a deadly train hijacking, was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
Senior Superintendent of Police Hashim Momand confirmed the casualties, while another official, Zafar Zamanani, reported that the explosion also damaged a nearby bus. The injured were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, vowing that those responsible would face consequences. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also denounced the violence, emphasizing Pakistan’s ongoing security challenges, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan.
Escalating Violence in Balochistan
The attack comes less than a week after the BLA ambushed the Jaffar Express, taking 400 passengers hostage and killing 26 people, including soldiers. Pakistani security forces later launched an operation, eliminating all 33 attackers.
Pakistan’s military has accused India of masterminding the recent wave of violence, alleging that the train hijackers were in communication with handlers in Afghanistan. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the military’s media wing, stated that India has been the “main sponsor” behind attacks in Balochistan.
The Baloch Separatist Insurgency
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has been the center of a long-running insurgency led by separatist groups like the BLA, which seeks independence. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by both Pakistan and the United States.
Ethnic Baloch residents have long accused the central government of discrimination and resource exploitation, a claim Islamabad denies. Despite its rich natural resources, the province remains economically marginalized.
Security Crisis Extends Beyond Balochistan
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, a series of attacks on police were reported. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for 16 attacks within 24 hours, including two incidents in Karak and Peshawar, which killed at least two policemen and a security guard.
Over the past year, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence, with more than 1,500 deaths reported. While the Afghan Taliban denies involvement, Pakistan continues to face growing security threats from various militant factions.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/16/pakistani-security-officers-killed-in-blast-claimed-by-baloch-separatists