File photo: Sepoy Najam Shah, one of the soldiers killed in the Zamuran attack.
An improvised explosive device (IED) struck a convoy of Pakistani forces in the Zamuran area of Balochistan’s Kech district, reportedly destroying one vehicle and causing multiple casualties. Officials said the explosion occurred near the Sangwan post, where the convoy was delivering supplies.
Local sources said helicopters arrived at the site soon after the blast, presumably to evacuate the injured and recover the deceased. Authorities later confirmed that two soldiers—identified as Sepoy Najam Shah and Atharuddin—were killed, while another soldier and a “facilitator” sustained injuries.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a “pro-independence” armed group, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement shared with the media, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the group’s fighters targeted a vehicle in the convoy with a remote-controlled IED in the Poganzan area of Zamuran, allegedly killing five army personnel and wounding two others.
This attack comes just two days after a suicide bombing carried out by the BLA’s Majeed Brigade in Turbat, which the group claimed killed 47 security personnel and injured over 30. The back-to-back attacks highlight the growing operational intensity of Baloch armed groups.
Balochistan experienced a sharp uptick in armed activities in 2024, with “pro-independence” groups reportedly conducting 938 attacks across 25 districts.
These attacks resulted in over 1,000 deaths and 679 injuries, alongside significant damage to infrastructure. The number of attacks increased by 53% compared to the previous year, while fatalities surged by a staggering 80%, making 2024 one of the deadliest years for Pakistani security forces in Balochistan.
The BLA claimed responsibility for several high-profile operations in 2024, including “Operation Herof,” targeting key locations in Balochistan, and “Operation Zirpahazag,” aimed at military sites in Gwadar and Kech. In November, the group said it was behind an attack at Quetta Railway Station that allegedly killed 31 army personnel and wounded 62 others.
Analysts suggest the large-scale “Fidayee” attack near Turbat at the start of 2025 signals a continuation of the operational strategy from the previous year, with increasingly coordinated and complex assaults likely to follow in the coming months and years.