At least nine Pakistani soldiers, including a captain, were killed and six others injured in a large-scale attack in the Basima area of Balochistan late on Monday night.
According to local sources, a large number of armed men targeted the main military camp in Basima, with intense gunfire and multiple explosions reported during the assault.
During the attack, the Pakistan Army’s Quick Response Force from the 328 Brigade attempted to advance towards the camp but came under ambush. As a result, Captain Muhammad Asif and eight other soldiers were killed, while six were injured.
The fighters also took control of a Levies station. After seizing the weapons of the personnel, they set fire to the station along with 40 to 50 motorcycles parked inside the premises.
The attack in Basima is the latest in a series of high-intensity operations by Baloch armed groups targeting Pakistani security forces in recent weeks. Over the past month, dozens of army personnel, including multiple officers, have been killed in a wave of coordinated attacks.
On 16 July, Major Syed Rabnawaz Tariq was killed in an ambush in Awaran district, in an attack claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). Three days later, Major Anwar Kakar died in a magnetic bomb blast near Jabal-e-Noor in Quetta, carried out by the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS).
On 23 July, Major Zaid Saleem was killed during clashes with BLA fighters in the mountainous region of Mastung. Most recently, on 5 August, Major Rizwan was killed in a roadside IED blast in Nushki, also claimed by the BLA.
On 1 August, in Goran, Panjgur district, the Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) alliance of Baloch armed groups seized a military camp, killing more than 20 personnel.
On Monday, multiple attacks were reported in Sibi, Tagraan, Jhal Magsi, Zamuran, Turbat, Tump, Mand and Zehri, targeting Pakistani military forces, supply convoys and police.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the Basima attack or the other incidents.
Meanwhile, due to security concerns, internet services remain suspended across Balochistan, while passenger bus and train services have been halted. Authorities have also ordered the closure of banks in parts of the region.