Deadly explosion targets security convoy in southwestern province
Seven Pakistani paramilitary troops were killed and five others wounded Tuesday when their convoy was struck by a homemade bomb in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, according to military and government officials.
The attack occurred near the town of Mach in Kachhi district around noon local time, in a mountainous region known for its coal deposits and frequent militant activity.
Attack details emerge as security concerns mount
“Terrorists” from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) targeted a vehicle carrying security forces with an improvised explosive device, the Pakistani military said in a statement confirming the casualties.
A senior local government official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, provided additional context: “The vehicle that was hit was part of a convoy on its way to a security operation.”
The five wounded troops were airlifted by helicopter to a military hospital in Quetta, the provincial capital, the official added.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, though the region has experienced escalating violence attributed to separatist organizations.
Violence intensifies in the troubled region
The bombing represents the latest incident of a deteriorating security situation in Balochistan, where militant separatist groups have intensified operations against Pakistani authorities. These groups frequently accuse the government of exploiting the resource-rich province without providing adequate benefits to local populations.
According to an AFP tally, more than 200 people—primarily security personnel—have been killed in attacks by armed groups across Balochistan and neighboring Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa since January 1.
In March, the BLA orchestrated a high-profile attack when militants seized control of a passenger train carrying hundreds of civilians, resulting in dozens of casualties among militants and off-duty security personnel.
The Kachhi district, where Tuesday’s attack occurred, has repeatedly been targeted by separatist groups operating in the province, which borders both Afghanistan and Iran.
Military operations in the region continue as authorities struggle to contain the spreading insurgency.
