Six personnel of Pakistani army including one major rank official died in an IED attack in Kech district of Balochistan on Friday, military’s media wing confirms.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), The media wing of Pakistan army, “the security forces were returning to their base after conducting a routine patrol in Kech district, reconnaissance vehicle of FC troops was targeted with remote controlled IED.”
The IED blast killed one officer and five army personnel whereas injured several. The deceased were as follows:
• Major Nadeem Abbas Bhatti, resident of Hafizabad
• Naik Jamshed, resident of Mianwali
• Lance Naik Taimoor, resident of Taunsa Sharif
• Lance Naik Khizer Hayat, resident of Attock
• Sepoy Sajid, resident of Mardan
• Sepoy Nadeem, resident of Taunsa Sharif
According to local reports received by TBP, the attack took place near in Kallag area of Tigran, district Kech.
Later the responsibility of the attack was claimed by a Baloch armed group, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
The spokesman for BLA, Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement, “The Pakistani military has advanced operations in Tigran and other areas of Turbat over the past several days, targeting Baloch civilians, including harassing women and children.”
“Major Nadeem, who was killed in the attack, was directly involved in the formation and leading of so-called death squads of criminal gangs operated by Pakistan army in Kech district of Balochistan, including targeting civilians in military operations in the area. Major Nadeem was providing security to drug dealers in the area and was involved in arming them against Baloch freedom fighters,” statement read.
Jeeyand Baloch vows that the Baloch Liberation Army will continue its struggle till the establishment of an independent homeland and a free society.
It is pertinent to mention, the location of this attack, Tigran and surroundings such as Geshtardaan, has been under military siege during the last few days.
Local reports said, during the ongoing military operation in the village of Geshtardaan, the central area of Zamran and Tigran has been cordoned off by the Pakistan army and people are being threatened to evict the village.