Baloch separatist militants have released a video showcasing their recent attack on a paramilitary convoy in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The footage, purportedly captured on March 16, surfaced on social media and was attributed to the media wing of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned militant group engaged in an armed insurgency against the Pakistani state.
The video captures the moment a bus carrying security personnel was struck by a powerful explosion in Naushki district, followed by plumes of thick black smoke engulfing the site. Later scenes show the burnt wreckage of the vehicle and the devastation caused by the attack. The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, a province long plagued by separatist violence and counterinsurgency operations.
According to local police chief Zafar Zamanani, the blast not only destroyed the targeted bus but also inflicted damage on a second vehicle in the vicinity. Initial reports from local sources confirmed at least 11 casualties and 22 injuries. However, the Baloch Liberation Army, which has claimed responsibility for the attack, alleged that as many as 90 Pakistani army personnel were killed, a figure that has not been independently verified.
Pakistani authorities provided a much lower casualty count, with official sources confirming five deaths. Senior Superintendent of Police for Noskhi district, Hashim Momand, stated that over 30 paramilitary personnel sustained injuries in the explosion. The discrepancy in casualty figures reflects the conflicting narratives often surrounding such incidents, with militant groups exaggerating their success while state authorities attempt to downplay losses.
The attack comes amid an escalating security crisis in Pakistan’s western regions, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan. In recent months, militant groups, including the BLA and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have intensified their operations, targeting security forces, infrastructure, and government officials. The Pakistani military has responded with counterinsurgency measures, but the violence continues unabated.
This latest assault follows another high-profile incident involving the same group. Just days ago, Baloch separatists hijacked the Jaffar Express train, taking passengers hostage for over 30 hours before security forces intervened. These back-to-back attacks signal a renewed and emboldened insurgency, raising concerns over Pakistan’s internal stability.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the nation. His statement reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to combat militant threats, but with the insurgency showing no signs of abating, the government faces an uphill battle in securing the volatile region.
