Hours after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for a large-scale attack on a Pakistani military convoy, in which they alleged that 90 military personnel were killed, their special forces unit, known as the Majeed Brigade, released the first visuals of the deadly assault. The footage captured a powerful explosion, followed by plumes of thick smoke rising from one of the targeted buses. This visual evidence was made public just hours after images began circulating online, depicting a charred and destroyed bus along with several other heavily damaged vehicles.
According to an official statement issued by the BLA, the attack was a coordinated effort between its elite Majeed Brigade and another specialized unit, the Fateh Squad. The two groups strategically targeted a military convoy comprising a total of eight buses. Of these, one was reportedly obliterated in the explosion, leading to significant casualties. The devastating ambush took place in the Noshki region of Balochistan province, approximately 150 kilometers from the provincial capital, Quetta. The aftermath of the attack left multiple vehicles completely burnt and in ruins, further highlighting the intensity of the assault.
Meanwhile, in an official response to the attack, the Pakistani army provided conflicting casualty figures, claiming that only seven of its soldiers were killed while 21 others sustained injuries. According to their statement, the convoy was en route from Quetta to Taftan when it came under heavy attack. The military reported that one of the buses was struck by a vehicle laden with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which they classified as a “suicide attack.” In addition to this, another bus was struck by Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), causing further destruction and chaos.
A Pakistani military official elaborated on the incident, stating, “A security forces convoy traveling from Quetta to Taftan was ambushed. The convoy, which consisted of seven buses and two vehicles, was systematically targeted. One bus was hit by an IED-laden vehicle, most likely a suicide attack, while another was directly targeted with Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs).” The attack was one of the deadliest in recent times, further escalating tensions in the volatile region.
In their statement, the BLA elaborated on their operation, claiming that after the initial explosion, the Fateh Squad moved in swiftly, surrounding the convoy to ensure that no military personnel could escape. They stated that the soldiers were “systematically eliminated” following the blast. The group has been engaged in a long-standing armed struggle, seeking the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan. The mineral-rich region has been a hotbed of insurgency for years, with separatist groups frequently clashing with security forces.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of Pakistani soldiers’ lives. He acknowledged that the convoy consisted of seven buses and two additional cars, emphasizing the scale of the operation carried out by the attackers. He further reiterated the government’s commitment to taking stringent action against militant groups operating in the province.
This recent attack follows another dramatic event orchestrated by the BLA just a week prior, in which the group hijacked a Peshawar-bound train. The insurgent organization claimed to have executed all 214 military personnel held hostage in retaliation for Pakistan’s failure to comply with a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners. The hostage situation and the subsequent massacre underscored the escalating conflict between the separatists and the Pakistani state, further exacerbating tensions in the troubled province.
The ongoing insurgency in Balochistan continues to be a major security challenge for Pakistan. The region, rich in natural resources, has long been a focal point of conflict, with armed separatist groups demanding greater autonomy and, in some cases, complete independence from Islamabad. With this latest attack, the situation remains highly volatile, raising concerns about the potential for further violence in the near future.
