Several Pakistani military personnel, including a senior officer, were killed in separate attacks carried out by Baloch militant groups across Balochistan targeting the security forces
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QUETTA — Several Pakistani military personnel, including a senior officer, were killed in separate attacks carried out by Baloch militant groups across Balochistan targeting the security forces, local media reported on Monday.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for an armed attack on Pakistani forces near the Turbat region that left a senior Pakistani army official and three others dead.
Separately, two other armed groups, Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) and the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG), carried out attacks on Pakistani forces in the Zehri and Kachhi regions of the province, The Balochistan Post reported.
In a statement issued on Sunday, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said that the group’s fighters carried out an attack in the Kalatuk area of Turbat, killing Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Arsalan Haleem, whom it identified as a senior officer of the Pakistani military’s Military Intelligence, along with three other personnel.
According to the BLA, the operation was conducted on June 6 based on “confidential and verified intelligence” provided by “ZIRAB,” the group’s intelligence wing.
In a separate statement, the BRAS said its fighters targeted Pakistani forces in the Balbal area of Zehri in Khuzdar district, killing eight military personnel.
BRAS spokesperson Baloch Khan said that the group’s fighters ambushed a convoy comprising several military vehicles on June 2, moving into the area.
The group said the convoy came under a coordinated attack from multiple directions, resulting in the death of eight personnel and the destruction of one military vehicle before the forces were “forced to retreat.”
According to BRAS, Pakistani forces made a second attempt to advance later in the day, deploying tanks, armoured vehicles, and other military assets.
The group said its fighters responded with another attack, damaging an armoured vehicle and causing further casualties.
Additionally, the BRG said that it launched an attack on what it described as the main Pakistani forces' camp in the Sanni area of Kachhi district.
The BRG spokesperson Dostain Baloch said the group's fighters encircled the camp "from all sides" on the night of June 2 before attacking it with rocket launchers, LMGs, and other heavy weaponry.
The group said the assault resulted in multiple casualties, with several personnel reportedly killed and injured.
“Our organisation, the Baloch Republican Guards, accepts responsibility for this attack, and such operations will continue until the independence of Balochistan,” the statement said.
These latest incidents come against the backdrop of escalating attacks by Baloch groups targeting Pakistani military and police forces across Balochistan in recent days, resulting in heavy casualties and damage to the infrastructure.