Gwadar Port attack: 2 Pakistani soldiers, 8 Baloch terrorists killed

The port complex houses multiple government and paramilitary facilities, while the strategically positioned Gwadar Port continues to be a vital component of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative

At least two Pakistani Army soldiers lost their lives, and eight Baloch terrorists were killed when security forces prevented a group of heavily armed Baloch rebels from infiltrating the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the turbulent Balochistan province of Pakistan.

The military highlighted that the port facility accommodates various government and paramilitary establishments and is a critical component of the billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project. 

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media arm of the military, disclosed in a press release that terrorists made an unsuccessful attempt to breach the Port Authority Colony but were swiftly repelled by security personnel on Wednesday.

The statement mentioned that the security forces swiftly responded and effectively neutralized the insurgents, resulting in the demise of all eight attackers in the ensuing gun battle.

The exchange also claimed the lives of two soldiers. 

Furthermore, a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives was seized from the possession of the militants affiliated with the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

Balochistan, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, has been plagued by a prolonged violent insurgency.

Various Baloch insurgent factions have previously launched attacks targeting the CPEC projects, valued at $60 billion. 

The BLA vehemently opposes Chinese investments in Balochistan, alleging Beijing and Islamabad exploit the province’s abundant resources, a claim the authorities refute.

Numerous Chinese workers are involved in diverse projects under the CPEC in Pakistan.

The BLA’s Majeed Brigade, established in 2011, is a highly effective guerrilla unit within the BLA known for its lethal tactics. 

The brigade, named after a guard of former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who died while attempting to assassinate the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is believed to have hideouts in regions along the Pakistan-Iran border. Primarily targeting security forces and Chinese interests in Pakistan, the brigade has been associated with various attacks, including the suicide bombing outside the Confucius Institute at Karachi University in April 2022. 

The recent assault occurred following a period of relative calm in Balochistan since the general elections on Feb. 8.

A security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies indicated Pakistan witnessed a record high in violence-related fatalities and injuries in 2023, with 1,524 deaths and 1,463 injuries resulting from 789 terrorist incidents and counterterrorism operations. 

Source: Newsroom