Quetta, Aug 6 (IANS) Incidents of armed attacks on Pakistani forces’ vehicles were reported in the Chahtar area of Darbandin in Chagai district located in the northwestern corner of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, local media reported on Thursday.
Citing local sources, Balochistan Post reported that the attackers opened fire with automatic weapons and there was an exchange of fire after the attacks targeting vehicles of Pakistan forces in Chagai.
There has been no official statement by the government regarding casualties or property damage.Meanwhile, a blockade was set up by armed men on the main highway between Al Bat and Patkan in Kharan district. According to the Balochistan Post, armed men stopped the traffic temporarily and searched vehicles. The traffic was stopped for several hours and resulted in several lines of vehicles on the highway, noted local sources.
Last week, Baloch armed fighters launched a series of attacks targeting Pakistani forces and installations across multiple districts of Balochistan, leaving several personnel dead.
The fighters also seized and torched multiple vehicles transporting minerals, after opening fire on a convoy in the Nokchah area of Chagai district.
The incident came against the backdrop of an “economic blockade” declared by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Since the announcement, the group has established control over major highways across Balochistan, with reports indicating that over 200 vehicles have been set ablaze, The Balochistan Post reported.
In a separate incident, a large Pakistani military convoy heading to Noshki city was attacked on the N-40 highway near the Killi Batto area. The convoy included bulletproof vehicles and was accompanied by police personnel.
Reports suggest Pakistani security personnel were killed in the attack, although the number could not be confirmed. A police vehicle assigned to the Deputy Commissioner was struck, but the official reportedly escaped without injury.
The attack came days after another military convoy near Noshki city was attacked, which resulted in the death of three personnel and injuries to three others.
Additionally, the armed fighters blocked the highway near the Zinda Pir area in Harnai district, searching passing vehicles remaining in the area for several hours. They subsequently blew up the nearby Delkona Levies station and a telecommunications tower in Pan Ghar using explosives.
–IANS
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