Balochistan: The banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a Pakistan Coast Guards camp in the coastal town of Jiwani in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. The group alleged that more than 30 security personnel were killed and several others injured, although Pakistani authorities had not immediately confirmed the casualty figures.
BLA claims responsibility
According to a statement attributed to BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, the attack was carried out by the group’s Majeed Brigade at a Pakistan Coast Guards facility in the Panwan area of Jiwani, located in the strategically significant Gwadar district.
The outfit described the operation as a “fidayee” (suicide) assault, claiming that its fighters breached the camp before launching the attack.
The BLA alleged that the assault resulted in the deaths of more than 30 Pakistani security personnel, while dozens of others were injured.
However, these claims have not been independently verified, and Pakistani authorities had not issued an immediate confirmation regarding the reported casualties.
No official confirmation
As of the latest reports, there has been no official statement from Pakistani authorities confirming the details of the attack or the casualty figures claimed by the insurgent group.
The reported incident comes amid heightened militant activity in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, where separatist insurgent groups have been active for decades.
Long-running insurgency
The Baloch Liberation Army, which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan and several other countries, has frequently targeted military, paramilitary and government installations in Balochistan.
Separatist groups operating in the province have carried out repeated attacks on security forces, infrastructure projects and state institutions, demanding greater autonomy and greater control over the region’s natural resources.
The BLA’s Majeed Brigade has previously claimed responsibility for several high-profile suicide attacks and assaults on security installations in the province.
Investigation and verification awaited
Independent verification of the BLA’s claims remains pending, and authorities have not released any official assessment of the incident.
Further details are expected as Pakistani security agencies investigate the reported attack and provide updates on casualties and the overall situation.