Balochistan: Armed fighters targeted Pakistani security forces and other vehicles in several areas, including Noshki, Dalbandin, Chagai, Kharan and Bolan, in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
One police officer was reportedly killed in these incidents, while possible casualties among security forces have also been reported. However, the number of casualties in most incidents has not been officially confirmed.
According to online news network ‘The Balochistan Post’, local sources said that a convoy of Pakistani security forces was ambushed near Sultan Charai in Noshki.
The attackers used automatic weapons. There are claims that security forces suffered casualties in the attack, but this has not yet been officially confirmed.
Several attacks were also reported around Dalbandin. According to local sources, convoys of Pakistani security forces and commercial vehicles were targeted on the Quetta-Taftan trade route.
Gunfire and explosions reportedly continued for more than 40 minutes. A separate attack on security forces vehicles in the Chehatar area resulted in exchanges of gunfire.
Security forces were also reportedly targeted in Bartagazi. There was no immediate official confirmation of damage or casualties in these incidents.
According to police sources, a cargo bus traveling from Quetta to Dalbandin was stopped in Chagai district on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. The attackers reportedly took the bus and its crew to an unknown location.
Local sources also reported that cargo vehicles and fuel tankers parked in a market in Chehatar were fired upon. The tires of several vehicles were reportedly damaged in the firing.
In neighboring Kharan district, armed men also blocked the main highway between Albat and Patkin for several hours. Traffic was completely disrupted, and long queues of vehicles formed on the road. According to local sources, vehicles passing through the route were also searched.
The Dosa Cross police checkpoint on the Balanari National Highway in Bolan was also attacked late last night. According to police sources, the attackers seized the checkpoint and took the weapons stored there.
Police sources reported that police officer Hafiz Abdul Rashid was killed in the attack. No organization immediately claimed responsibility for these attacks.
Several Baloch armed groups are active in these areas of Balochistan and have previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Pakistani security forces and mineral transport vehicles.
Detailed official information and casualty figures are awaited from Pakistani authorities regarding the incidents.