Quetta, 24 August (H.S.): The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has made a major claim regarding an attack on a Pakistani military convoy in Balochistan’s Mastung district, saying that 13 Pakistani soldiers were killed and more than 10 others wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast followed by an ambush. The figures have not been independently verified.

According to The Balochistan Post, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the attack took place on August 22 in the Khadkocha area. He claimed that BLA fighters first targeted an armoured military vehicle with an IED. They subsequently ambushed another armoured vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy.

The BLA claimed that members of its Special Tactical Operations Squad were involved in the operation.

According to local sources, the initial explosion destroyed one armoured vehicle and damaged another. Armed attackers then opened fire on the convoy, damaging another military vehicle.

Following the attack, the Balochistan Home Department imposed an indefinite curfew in Khadkocha and adjoining areas from 7 a.m. on August 23.

Meanwhile, the BLA also claimed responsibility on Sunday for a separate attack in the Hairabad area of Turbat. According to the organisation, three Pakistani soldiers were killed and three others wounded in the incident.

Officials, however, said a Frontier Corps (FC) road-search team came under attack in Hairabad and that three personnel were wounded. According to the officials, six armed men travelling on three motorcycles threw grenades at the team and opened fire. The attackers fled the scene following retaliatory fire from the security personnel.

The BLA has also claimed to have carried out eight other operations in different parts of Balochistan, including Noshki, Kalat, Kharan, Washuk, Zehri and Chagai. The organisation said detailed information about these operations would be released in its forthcoming weekly statement.

Balochistan has witnessed a long-running conflict between separatist groups and Pakistani security forces. Security measures have been tightened following the latest attack claims in Mastung and Turbat.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar