A Pakistani military convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber in Balochistan’s Kech district on Thursday, leaving several soldiers dead or injured, officials and local sources said.
The attack took place near Konchati Cross in the Dasht area, about 60 kilometres from Turbat, along the M-8 highway that forms part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to district officials.
Officials said an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into one of the buses in the convoy. Gunmen then opened fire on the remaining vehicles.
Initial reports said several soldiers were killed and injured, but the exact number of casualties has yet to be confirmed.
Local sources told The Balochistan Post the convoy included six buses and security vehicles travelling from Gwadar to Turbat. One bus was destroyed in the blast, while gunfire continued for some time as assailants targeted personnel in the remaining vehicles.
Military helicopters were seen flying over the area soon afterwards. Security forces sealed off the site, and an investigation is under way.
No group has said it was behind Thursday’s attack. But Baloch armed groups, especially the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have staged similar bombings.
The assault resembles one in March in Nushki district, when the BLA said it used a suicide car bomb followed by an ambush on buses in a convoy.
At the time, the group claimed about 90 Pakistani soldiers were killed. Its spokesperson said the Majeed Brigade carried out the suicide bombing, while the Fateh Squad attacked a second bus, killing all those on board