Two Pakistani security personnel were killed and several others injured when a remote-controlled explosive device targeted their vehicle in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The attack took place in the Gichk area of Panjgur. According to officials, the blast severely damaged the military vehicle and killed two personnel on the spot. The injured were evacuated to hospital for medical treatment.
Local sources said the explosion occurred as the forces were en route to conduct an operation in the area.
Following the attack, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, Baloch “pro-independence” armed groups, particularly the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have carried out a series of similar attacks in the region in recent months, frequently targeting Pakistani security forces with IEDs.
In early May, the BLA claimed responsibility for two IED attacks in Bolan and Kech districts, which it said killed 14 Pakistani military personnel. In April, the group said it conducted eight IED attacks across Balochistan, including in Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Dasht, Tigraan, Margat, and Pasni.
In March, the BLA claimed responsibility for 11 IED blasts, including high-profile attacks on the Jaffar Express train in Bolan, a military bus in Nushki, and a convoy in Kalat’s Harboi area.
A report by the UK-based non-governmental organization Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) recently said the BLA remains one of the most active non-state groups using explosive weapons in Pakistan. AOAV also ranked Pakistan seventh among countries most affected by explosive weapons in 2024.