Page 2 - Balochistan

Death toll from oil tanker blast in Pak's Balochistan rises to eight

The death toll from a deadly oil tanker explosion in the Noshki area of the Balochistan province has risen to eight after five victims died during treatment at a private hospital in Karachi. At least one person was killed and 40 others injured when a parked oil tanker caught fire and exploded in Noshki on April 28. The Balochistan government had 24 critically wounded patients airlifted to Karachi on April 29 via Edhi Air Ambulance for specialised treatment in Karachi. A spokesperson for Edhi trust said on Friday night and Saturday morning five more victims had died. The driver was killed in the explosion while two others had died earlier this week at another private hospital for burns victims in Karachi, he said. Seventeen other patients remain under treatment in private hospitals across Karachi, according to the spokesperson, some of them are still in critical condition with 80 per cent burns. Local authorities are continuing investigations into the cause of the fire, which ...

Ten terrorists killed in Balochistan by Pakistan's security forces

Pakistan's security forces have killed 10 terrorists in two separate incidents in the country's restive Balochistan province, authorities said. The terrorists were killed in the Kech and Ziarat districts during a fresh crackdown against militant elements in the province. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the terrorists were killed during separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the districts. The operation was launched based on intelligence about the presence of militants in the area. As per details, three terrorists were killed during an operation near Turbat in Kech district. The operation was launched based on intelligence about the presence of militants in the area. The ISPR said in a statement that a heavy exchange of fire took place between security forces and armed terrorists. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, who the ISPR said were involved in numerous attacks against security forces and the killing of civilians

Even 10 generations of terrorists can't harm Balochistan: Pak Army Chief

Munir assured that the country's armed forces will overcome the threat posed by terrorists, specifically mentioning groups like BLA, BLF, and BRA

Baloch rebels kill 8 Pakistanis in attack on car repair workshop in Iran

Eight Pakistani workers were killed by Baloch militants who stormed a car repair workshop and opened fire after tying up the victims in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province, officials said on Sunday. All eight workers hailed from several areas of Punjab, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported. It said that the armed men barged into the workshop sometime on Saturday night in a village in the Meharistan district and, after tying the workers' hands and feet, opened indiscriminate firing and killed them. Later, the attackers fled from the site. A spokesman for the banned Balochistan National Army (BNA) claimed responsibility for the killing of eight Pakistanis. The incident prompted Islamabad to demand "full cooperation" from Tehran in investigating these "inhumane and cowardly" murders. Pakistan strongly condemns the inhumane and cowardly killing of its nationals in Iran. We hope for Iranian side's full cooperation in investigating the matter and in timely repatriation of vict

Top Baloch leader, workers survive suicide blast near protest site in Pak

A top Baloch nationalist leader and other workers his party escaped unhurt when a suicide bomber blew himself up near their sit-in protest rally in Balochistan province of Pakistan on Saturday. Sardar Akhtar Mengal has been leading a long march from Wadh to Quetta since Friday to protest the arrests of the leaders and workers of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), whose chief Dr Mahrang Baloch was arrested under anti-terrorism laws. The suicide bomber blew himself up near their sit-in protest rally near Lucky Pass in Mastung, about 50 kilometre south of Quetta, in Balochistan province but Mengal and others escaped unhurt. Mastung Assistant Commissioner (AC) Akram Harifal told the media that Levies personnel had spotted a suspicious individual near the rally and when they went to question him, he tried to escape but blew himself up. The participants of the protest by the Balochistan National Party (BNP) are unhurt and okay, he said. Mahrang Baloch and other BYC members, all arrest

Pak denies reports about deployment of Chinese military within its borders

Pakistan on Thursday denied reports about the deployment of the Chinese military in the country to protect its citizens after several terrorist attacks in recent months. "I completely deny this. No Chinese forces are being deployed in Pakistan. This is totally false. There is no credibility to these reports, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said when asked about the issue at a press briefing here. He said Pakistan was committed to ensuring the security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan and talks on the issue are part of that arrangement, while he rejected reports about the deployment of Chinese military in Balochistan. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) accuses China and Islamabad of exploitation of the resource-rich province, a charge rejected by the authorities. The group has carried out attacks against Chinese interests in Pakistan. Khan said that a recent UN experts' statement regarding detainees in Balochistan lacked balance and proportionality, and it downplay

Imran Khan calls Balochistan govt 'illegitimate,' warns against 1971 repeat

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder-leader said the situation in Balochistan cannot improve unless the genuine public representatives are brought into the mainstream

Six killed, three abducted by Baloch separatists in Gwadar bus attack

Insurgents shot dead six people and abducted three after stopping a bus in Balochistan, and offloading passengers from Pakistan's Punjab. In another terror attack in the province, three people were killed and 17 injured after a bomb exploded near a police vehicle, officials said. The two attacks come a fortnight after the banned separatist outfit Balochistan Liberation Army laid siege to a train in the Bolan district and killed 26 hostages, including 18 security personnel. The bus attack occurred in the Gwadar district when armed men stopped a Karachi-bound passenger bus near the Kalmat area on the Ormara highway late on Wednesday, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hafeez Baloch. The gunmen offloaded some passengers and shot six people, five of whom were killed instantly while one survivor passed away later in the hospital Thursday morning. Armed men killed six passengers after checking their ID cards and took away three others, he said, adding that all victims belonged to

4 suspected 'facilitators' of Jaffar Express attack arrested in Pak: Report

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Balochistan police has arrested four suspects who allegedly facilitated the terrorist group involved in hijacking the Jaffar Express and taking over 400 passengers hostage in Pakistan's Bolan district on March 11, according to a media report. Terrorists belonging to the banned separatist outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express carrying 440 passengers. Twenty-six hostages, including 18 security personnel, lost their lives in the attack. The Army eliminated all 33 terrorists the next day and rescued 354 hostages. Since then, multiple attacks have taken place across Balochistan. Sources in CTD, while confirming the arrests, said that a joint team comprising senior officials from various law enforcement agencies is investigating the attack on the Jaffar Express, reported the Dawn newspaper. These four suspects have been taken into custody for interrogation, the sources said, adding that efforts to identify the attackers

Pak continues to arrest Baloch leaders as police cracks down on protestors

After their arrests, BYC issued a strongly worded statement where it said that it will not be silenced by Pakistan's crackdown

Balochistan leader Mahrang Baloch arrested while protesting in Pak's Quetta

Mahrang Baloch, who had been with the protestors during the sit-in protest, had shared messages on Friday night bringing attention towards the atrocities being faced by Baloch people

Pakistan accuses India of involvement in destablising Balochistan

Pakistan on Thursday accused India of fanning terrorism in the country, and said New Delhi's involvement in destabilising Balochistan is very clear. Foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan also alleged that India has been running a global assassination campaign sponsored from their country. Indian involvement is clear. They have been involved in terrorism in Pakistan. And secondly, it's not just Pakistan, they have been trying to destabilise the entire region, all South Asian countries, Khan told a weekly press briefing here. India's involvement in fanning terrorism in Pakistan, and its involvement in destabilising Balochistan is very clear to us, he said. The remarks come days after Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants ambushed the Jaffar Express in Bolan district of Balochistan on March 11. The militants killed 21 passengers and four paramilitary soldiers before the Army eliminated all 33 terrorists on March 12. Khan said that India never condemned the attack on Jaff

Pak lodges formal protest with Kabul over train hijacking in Balochistan

Pakistan formally lodged a strong protest with Afghanistan over the use of its soil in the recent train hijacking in the restive Balochistan by Balochistan Liberation Army militants in which 21 civilians and four soldiers were killed. The Express Tribune reported quoting sources that a senior Afghan diplomat was summoned to the Foreign Office on Monday to register the protest. However, there was no official statement from the FO about the summoning of the Afghan diplomat. On March 11, terrorists attacked and hijacked the Jaffar Express at Bolan Pass, holding over 400 passengers hostage for 30 hours. The train was en route from Quetta to Peshawar. Pakistani security forces, backed by the Air Force and elite army commandos, successfully rescued over 350 passengers. However, authorities confirmed that terrorists killed 25 passengers before the operation commenced. All 33 attackers were killed during the operation. Following the attack, Pakistan stated that it had found evidence ...

5 people injured in grenade attack on SHO's house in Balochistan

Five people including four children were injured on Monday in a grenade attack on the residence of a Station House Officer (SHO) in Pakistan's Balcohistan, as insurgents continued terror attacks in the restive province. The attack took place at the house of SHO Qadir Sheikh in Khuzdar, according to authorities. Khuzdar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Javed Zehri told the media that unknown assailants threw a hand grenade at the residence of the Hub City SHO, injuring his father as well as his brother's four children. The father has been moved to Karachi for treatment while the children have been given treatment, he said, adding that the incident was being investigated. There have been a series of terror attacks in different parts of the province since militants from the banned separatist outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) ambushed Jaffar Express carrying 440 passengers last week. The militants killed 26 hostages before the Army eliminated all 33 terrorists the next day. On

Pakistan's economy recovers, but rising terrorism threats test stability

The resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan's wild west has complicated Sharif's already difficult job

Bomb blast near bus carrying security personnel in Balochistan, 5 killed

The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming that over 90 personnel were killed

After train hijack, Pakistan suffers over half a dozen militant attacks

The series of attacks come shortly after a passenger train was hijacked in the restive Balochistan province, which resulted in the killing of 31, including soldiers, railway staff, and civilians

'Focus inward, not blame': India rejects Pak claim on Jaffar Express attack

Rejecting Pakistan's allegations, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the world knows where the epicentre of terrorism lies, and Pakistan must stop shifting blame and take responsibility

Pakistan forces end Jaffar Express standoff; 21 hostages, 4 troops killed

Pakistani security forces end deadly siege on Jaffar Express, rescuing hundreds held hostage by Baloch militants; 21 passengers and four troops killed during the operation

21 passengers, 4 soldiers, 33 militants killed as Pak army ends hijack op

Twenty-one passengers and four paramilitary soldiers were killed by militants holding hostages after seizing control of a train in Balochistan, an army general said on Wednesday. Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif told Dunya News TV that security forces killed all 33 militants present at the scene. "The armed forces successfully concluded the operation in the (Wednesday) evening by killing all terrorists and rescuing all passengers safely, Lt Gen Sharif said. He said that 21 passengers were killed by the terrorists when they attacked the train on Tuesday. He added that four paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers were also killed in the incident. "The forces killed all 33 terrorists and secured the release of hostages, he said. The Jaffar Express, carrying some 400 passengers in nine coaches, was going from Quetta to Peshawar when militants derailed it using explosives and hijacked it near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri in a tunnel 160 kilometres from Quetta. The