A suicide car bomber targeted buses carrying security forces in Balochistan, killing five and injuring ten on Sunday. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, which follows recent violent incidents in the region. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reported that security forces returned fire, killing several attackers. Balochistan’s ethnic tensions continue to pose significant challenges for the government.
On Sunday in southwestern Pakistan, a suicide car bomber struck a convoy of buses transporting security forces, resulting in the deaths of at least five officers and injuries to ten others, according to police reports. The incident took place in Naushki, Balochistan, as confirmed by local police chief Zafar Zamanani, who noted that many of the injured are in critical condition and have been taken to nearby hospitals.
Following the bombing, officials reported that separatist militants opened fire on the buses. The Baloch Liberation Army, an outlawed group, later claimed responsibility for this attack. This incident follows a previous assault in which the rebels targeted a train, resulting in about 400 hostages and the death of 26 individuals amidst a security operation that killed all 33 attackers involved.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reported that security forces engaged in combat and killed at least four of the attackers in retaliation. Balochistan, known for its oil and mineral wealth, is the largest yet least populated province in Pakistan, where ethnic Baloch residents allege systemic discrimination by the central government, a claim that the government adamantly rejects. The Baloch Liberation Army continues to seek independence from Islamabad.
The recent suicide car bombing in Balochistan has resulted in significant casualties among security forces, highlighting ongoing violence perpetrated by separatist groups. The Baloch Liberation Army has reaffirmed its commitment to such attacks amidst claims of discrimination against the Baloch people by the central government. This incident illustrates the complex security challenges facing the region as it grapples with political and ethnic tensions.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
