Terrorist attack on naval air base in Balochistan foiled
A terrorist attack targeted Pakistan's naval air base in
Balochistan, resulting in the death of six attackers. The armed assault
occurred at the PNS Siddique Naval Air Base, with militants attempting infiltration
from three sides of the airport boundary. Witnesses reported gunfire and
explosions overnight, but security measures prevented any harm to the airbase
or aircraft.
The attack, carried out by armed Baloch militants, occurred in
Turbat, a volatile district. Security forces successfully repelled the assault,
neutralizing at least six terrorists.
The banned Balochistan Liberation Army's Majeed Brigade claimed
responsibility for the attack, marking the third such assault on security
forces and installations this year. Previous attempts by the BLA were also
thwarted by security forces, including an incident in Mach town where ten
individuals lost their lives, although the attempt to breach the Mach jail was
unsuccessful.
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Earlier, on March 24, the BLA targeted the Gwadar Port Authority
Complex, resulting in the deaths of eight militants.
Balochistan, situated near Iran and Afghanistan, has long grappled
with a violent insurgency. Various Baloch insurgent factions, including the BLA,
have targeted significant projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), alleging exploitation of the province's resources by China and
Islamabad, claims refuted by authorities.
The BLA's Majeed Brigade, established in 2011, is renowned for its effective guerrilla tactics, particularly targeting security forces and Chinese interests. Operating sanctuaries along the Pak-Iran border, the brigade is considered the BLA's suicide squad and was responsible for the April 2022 suicide attack near the Karachi University's Confucius Institute.
Source: Economic Times