Freight convoys and their security escorts came under attack at several points along Balochistan’s Quetta-Taftan trade route on Monday, in the latest attack on commercial traffic since the BLA declared an “economic blockade” on major highways.
The attacks were reported in Chagai district, where convoys travelling from the Taftan border were targeted near Yak Mach, Nokchah, Char Sar and Chehatar.
According to sources, the first attack took place near Yak Mach in Dalbandin, where armed fighters opened fire on a convoy of commercial vehicles and targeted its security escort with rockets and other weapons.
Two vehicles belonging to the escort were severely damaged in the attack, while casualties among personnel were also reported. The extent of the losses could not be independently confirmed.
The convoy was later targeted at three more locations along the route, damaging several vehicles. Convoys associated with the Saindak Project were also attacked.
Sources said armed fighters took control of the highway at Nokchah and conducted snap checks. They set one heavy vehicle ablaze and punctured the tyres of another.
At Char Sar, the convoy and its escort were attacked again, leaving two police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, injured.
Armed fighters also targeted Saindak Project vehicles and two convoys of commercial vehicles in the Chehatar area. Several vehicles were damaged, while one was seized and taken away.
Reports said the armed fighters also detained two drivers during the attacks and moved them to an undisclosed location.
No group had claimed responsibility for Monday’s attacks at the time of publication.
The attacks come amid a BLA-declared “economic blockade” on major routes in Balochistan.
In an earlier statement announcing the blockade, the BLA said it had established “complete control” over the Quetta-Taftan route, a key highway linked to supply movement and mineral transport connected to the Saindak and Reko Diq projects.
Read More: BLA Claims Dalbandin Takeover, Declares ‘Complete Control’ of Quetta-Taftan Highway
The group warned companies and transporters involved in mineral extraction not to use the route. Nearly 200 vehicles have reportedly been targeted under the campaign in recent months.
“Until Balochistan is transformed into an inevitable economic burden for the occupying state, it is impossible to halt its blind military adventurism and the horrific cycle of Baloch genocide,” the BLA said in the earlier statement.
Pakistani authorities had not issued a detailed statement on the attacks, reported casualties or the missing drivers at the time of publication.