Attacks on army convoys rise in Balochistan; BLF claims 129 killed in October

Attacks on Pakistani army and security forces have increased in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Army convoys have been attacked in Kech, Kharan and Mastung districts. Reports say several soldiers were killed and some were injured. Separately, in the Dalbandin area, armed attackers briefly shut the Quetta-Taftan highway and set a vehicle on fire.

On Wednesday, unidentified armed attackers targeted a convoy of two security forces vehicles in the Noduz area of Kech district. Initial reports say the security forces suffered losses, but the exact number of dead or injured has not yet emerged.

Earlier, on Monday, an army convoy was ambushed on the Quetta-Karachi highway near Madina Hotel in Mastung. There has been no official confirmation of how many soldiers were killed or injured.

On the same day, another convoy of Pakistani security forces was targeted at Naoroz Kalat in the Zomi area of Kharan district.

Also on Monday, armed attackers set up a makeshift checkpoint on the Quetta-Taftan highway in the Pashuk area of Dalbandin. They stopped a vehicle and set it on fire. No organisation has so far claimed responsibility for these latest attacks.

Earlier in the week, there were other attacks on security forces in Balochistan. Security personnel travelling on foot and in vehicles were reportedly targeted in the Ahmad Wal area of Nushki district, while an explosion occurred near an army vehicle in Kharan. According to local sources, landmines laid in the area are affecting the movement of security forces.

These incidents came a day after intense clashes in the Lijay area of Kharan. During those clashes an army vehicle was hit by an explosion. Reports say eight Pakistani soldiers were killed or injured. Further fighting between the two sides followed, and a quadcopter drone was reportedly shot down.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed that it carried out 25 operations in Balochistan in October. According to the organisation, more than 129 Pakistani soldiers and intelligence personnel were killed and more than 30 seriously injured.

The group's spokesperson, Major Gwahram Baloch, gave the details in a monthly report issued on Sunday. He said the October operations included "Operation Almas" in Gwadar district. The BLF claims more than 80 soldiers and intelligence personnel were killed in this operation. The BLF's claims have not been independently verified.