A suicide car bomber attacked a convoy of security forces in Balochistan, Pakistan, killing at least five individuals and injuring ten others. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack and subsequent gunfire directed at the buses. The incident reflects ongoing violence and separatist tensions in the region, as authorities continue to confront these challenges.
On Sunday, a suicide car bomber targeted a convoy of buses transporting security personnel in Naushki, Balochistan, Pakistan, leading to the deaths of at least five officers and injuring ten others, as reported by local police. Zafar Zamanani, the police chief, confirmed that some of the wounded individuals are critically injured and have been taken to a nearby hospital.
Following the car bombing, authorities reported that separatist rebels directed gunfire at the buses. The Baloch Liberation Army, which is outlawed, has claimed responsibility for the attack. This event follows a prior incident in which the rebels assaulted a train, resulting in hostages and numerous casualties before security forces intervened.
Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan, stated that security forces retaliated against the attackers, reportedly killing at least four militants involved in the assault. Balochistan, rich in oil and minerals, is Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, where ethnic Baloch individuals have long alleged systemic discrimination by the central government, a claim that Islamabad repudiates.
The suicide bombing in Balochistan underscores the ongoing violence in the region, exacerbated by separatist tensions and past incidents of significant casualties. The claims of responsibility by the Baloch Liberation Army highlight the persistent instability stemming from their demands for independence. Local authorities remain engaged in efforts to counter such threats, although the region continues to face challenges regarding security and ethnic grievances.
Original Source: www.usnews.com