KARACHI, Jan 10: Armed militants attacked a police checkpost in the troubled Balochistan province of Pakistan, also setting ablaze machinery and equipment belonging to a nearby cement factory before fleeing the scene, according to authorities.
The incident occurred in Mastung town on Thursday.
A police official verified that the assault happened during a shift change at the checkpost, during which the militants seized weapons, ammunition, wireless communication devices, and motorcycles, and then set fire to the equipment at the cement factory.
The attackers managed to escape well before security forces arrived at the location.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as a result of the attack, sources indicated.
On the same day, it was reported that armed militants, believed to be part of banned separatist factions, conducted a similar operation in Khuzdar, which is located in a remote region of Balochistan.
Reports suggest that the separatists robbed a bank and burned down a police station before making their escape.
Experts from security and political think tanks have noted that since last year, separatist groups in the province have become increasingly aggressive, intensifying their assaults on security forces, installations, and civilians from other provinces working in Balochistan.
“Balochistan is vast, with much of it comprising rugged mountainous terrain and isolated areas, allowing militants to execute their attacks more easily,” stated a security analyst.
Balochistan shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan and has a history of violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups have previously targeted projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) accuses China and Islamabad of exploiting the resource-rich province, a claim that the authorities refute. The BLA has been engaged in a prolonged insurgency seeking an independent homeland. (PTI)
