A brutal attack in Pakistan’s Southwest Balochistan has claimed the lives of 18 paramilitaries and three other critically injured on Saturday.
The horrific ambush occurred near the town of Mangochar, police officials said “A vehicle carrying unarmed Frontier Corps paramilitaries near the town of Mangochar came under gunfire from 70 to 80 armed assailants who had blocked the road.” The attack was so intense that 17 passengers died at the spot, and a parliamentary who came to help them also died.
According to an anonymous police officer ” The attack was meticulously planned and executed, with assailants killing mercilessly not showing any empathy to their victims.” Three other paramilitaries were critically injured in the attack, while two managed to escape unharmed. The officials confirmed that the bodies of dead has been transported to a local hospital for autopsy.
The government suspect that The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is responsible for the attack because BLA the separatist group has been linked to several deadly attacks in Pakistan comprising bomb blast in January which resulted in death of six people and a bombing at Quetta’s main railway station in November that killed 26 people, including 14 soldiers.
The violence has been going on it Balochistan for decades with the province blizzard by sectarian , ethnic, and separatist violence. The Pakistani government is struggling to restore balance and power in the region , despite deploying thousands of troops and launching numerous military operations.
The Pakistani military has been battling assailants in the region, and in 2024 alone, reported 383 Soldiers and 925 militants killed in various disputes. The attack has sent shockwaves throughout the province with many condemning the senseless violence and calling for swift action to be taken against those responsible.
The Pakistani military has launched and investigation into attack, but no group has claimed responsibility. Despite the promises of government the citizens are skeptical about the effectiveness of such measures.
