Pakistan: Nine Soldiers Killed In Deadly Balochistan Militant Attack

Nine Pakistani soldiers lost their lives in a coordinated militant assault on security installations in Balochistan’s Washuk district on Monday, officials confirmed. The attack occurred just hours after the United States formally designated the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as a foreign terrorist organisation, upgrading its previous classification as a “specially designated global terrorist” group.

The BLA, long active in the mineral-rich but volatile southwestern province, has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks in recent years, although no group has yet taken responsibility for Monday’s assault.

According to local authorities, dozens of armed militants on motorbikes stormed both a police station and a Frontier Corps compound in Basima city, hurling grenades, ransacking the premises, and engaging security forces in a fierce exchange of gunfire. The soldiers killed were reportedly en route to respond to the initial attack when they were ambushed. The incident also left several other soldiers injured, deepening concerns about the security situation in a province already marked by insurgency and separatist violence.

How Did The Attack Start?

Officials say the violence began when 40–50 militants launched simultaneous strikes on key government facilities in Basima. First targeting a police station, the attackers then moved to the Frontier Corps compound, using hand grenades and heavy gunfire. The military personnel who later responded to the call for backup were intercepted by the militants, resulting in the deaths of nine soldiers.

Were There Other Casualties?

Beyond the nine fatalities, six soldiers sustained injuries during the confrontation, according to provincial authorities. While there are no official reports of civilian deaths, damage to government property and the ransacking of offices have been confirmed.

What Is The Government Saying?

Speaking on condition of anonymity, senior provincial officials described the incident as a “coordinated terrorist assault” and linked it to separatist elements in the region. Although the BLA has not claimed responsibility, the attack bears similarities to previous operations attributed to the group. Officials have pledged to intensify counterterrorism operations in Balochistan and have stressed the need for enhanced intelligence sharing to prevent future attacks.

What Next?

The attack has reignited calls for stronger military presence in the province and greater cooperation between local and federal security agencies. The fresh U.S. designation of the BLA as a foreign terrorist organisation may pave the way for broader international counterterrorism support to Pakistan, including intelligence cooperation and financial sanctions targeting the group’s networks. Meanwhile, residents of Washuk district remain on high alert as security forces conduct combing operations in search of the attackers.