Finally, a savage strike and separatist activity in Pakistan’s Balochistan province was the deadliest one that the province had experienced in recent years. The synchronized attack launched by the separatist organizations, including the BLA, disrupted police stations, railway tracks, and other vehicles on roads, including on highways, claiming at least 50 lives of the Pakistani armed forces and 10 others.
The BLA, the largest ethnic insurgent group, stated this. The group said the attack was in response to the central government’s unfair exploitation of Baluchistan’s resources and the influx of Chinese investment in the province. Balochistan seems to be the separatists’ favorite destination because it is already hosting huge projects with Chinese investment, like the Gwadar deep seaport and a gold and copper mine project.
The attack also killed a local policeman, four levies, and 23 civilians. The biggest number of killed was reported in Lasbella, where 40 officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Armed Forces died, and 10 more were wounded. The separatists also preferred picking on individuals from the Punjab province in Pakistan.
The Chief Minister of Balochistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have condemned the incidents and have assured that the terrorists and their handlers shall not go scot-free and will meet an ‘exemplary end.’ The newest height in militancy is seen as a reaction to more Chinese investment and presence in the province which has already been in turbulence and now seems to be facing further unrest.
