Officials have reported that Pakistani security forces successfully defended against an attack by militants on a complex near the important port of Gwadar, resulting in the death of all eight attackers.
Despite a longstanding separatist insurgency in Balochistan, China has made significant investments in the region, particularly in the development of Gwadar.
The militants, armed with guns and explosives, targeted the complex housing government offices, intelligence agencies, and paramilitary forces near the port. Government commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani confirmed that the militants detonated bombs and engaged in a shooting spree in an attempt to breach the complex.
Provincial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced on social media that security forces had eliminated the militants, sending a clear message that violence would not be tolerated. Reports indicate that at least one soldier was killed and others were injured during the attack.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a prominent separatist group, claimed responsibility for the assault, targeting Pakistani intelligence agencies’ offices. The BLA has a history of targeting Pakistani and Chinese interests in the region.
Gwadar port plays a crucial role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, which includes infrastructure and energy projects. Baloch militant groups have previously attacked Chinese targets in Pakistan, citing grievances over regional wealth disparities.
