Armed men attacked a convoy of about 60 vehicles carrying minerals in Balochistan’s Noshki district on Wednesday, setting at least 10 vehicles on fire, local sources said, in the latest in a series of attacks on mineral transport in the region.
The convoy was intercepted in the Mal area of Noshki, where the attackers stopped the vehicles and opened fire.
At least 10 bowser vehicles were later set on fire and completely destroyed, while several others were damaged during the attack, the sources said.
Eyewitnesses said gunfire hit the tyres of several vehicles, bringing parts of the convoy to a halt and disrupting movement along the route.
Initial reports suggested large-scale financial losses. There was no immediate confirmation of any casualties.
No group had claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack at the time of publication.
Wednesday’s attack is the latest in a continuing series of attacks on mineral transport in Balochistan, which intensified after the BLA announced last month that it had established “complete control” over the Quetta-Taftan highway, a key route used for transport linked to mining projects including Saindak and Reko Diq.
The group warned trucks, trailers and convoys carrying what it called “looted Baloch resources and minerals” not to use the route.
“We will no longer, under any circumstances, allow trucks, trailers or any convoys carrying looted Baloch resources and minerals to pass through here,” the statement said.