Qalat: Unidentified militants launched a series of attacks on security checkposts and government buildings in Qalat district, Balochistan. The assailants also set fire to a private bank, while blocking the Quetta-Karachi highway and opening fire on passing vehicles, resulting in casualties.
According to officials, the attack took place on the night between Friday and Saturday in the Mangachar area, about 110 kilometers from Quetta when dozens of heavily armed militants fired at security forces' camps and checkposts from nearby mountains, using automatic weapons and rocket launchers.
Qalat’s Deputy Commissioner, Bilal Shabbir, confirmed the attack, stating that a prolonged exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants, disrupting traffic on the Quetta-Karachi highway. However, he did not provide further details.
During the blockade at Khuzini, militants fired indiscriminately at a passing passenger van, reportedly killing several people. However, authorities have yet to officially confirm the casualties. Reports also indicate that three security personnel and a civilian, identified as Muhammad Sadruddin from Pishin, sustained injuries. Sadruddin was traveling from Quetta to Karachi.
Militants also opened fire on a patrolling Levies vehicle, further intensifying the clashes.
Due to the gun battle, the Quetta-Karachi highway remained closed from around 10 PM until early morning. District administrations in Qalat and Mastung temporarily halted traffic, preventing passenger buses and other vehicles from proceeding. The highway was reopened at dawn after the situation was brought under control.
In addition to the attack on security forces, militants set fire to a private bank in the Mangachar bazaar.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) splinter group claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier, Frontier Corps (FC) sources had claimed to have repelled the assault and killed two militants.
Balochistan has witnessed a surge in such attacks by banned militant groups in recent months.
On August 26 last year, militants blocked national highways in Qalat, Mastung, Musa Khel, and Bolan, stopping passenger buses and attacking security forces’ checkposts, Levies stations, and government buildings. More than 40 people were killed in those incidents.
Similarly, last month, dozens of armed militants attacked government offices, including a Levies station and NADRA offices, in Zehri, Khuzdar district. They set buildings on fire and seized weapons before fleeing. The responsibility for those attacks was claimed by the BLA’s Jeeyand Baloch faction.
