QUETTA: Seven security personnel were martyred when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the Mach area of Kachhi district on Tuesday, according to the military’s media wing.
Terrorists from the “so-called Baloch Liberation Army” (BLA) targeted a security vehicle with an improvised explosive device in the Mach area in Kachhi district, Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.
As a result of the IED explosion, it added, “seven brave sons of soil embraced Shahadat”.
They included Sobidar Umar Farooq, 42, a resident of Karachi; Naik Asif Khan, 28, a resident of Karak district; Naik Mashkoor Ali, 28, from Orakzai District; Sepoy Tariq Nawaz, 26, hailing from Lakki Marwat district; Sepoy Wajid Ahmed Faiz, 28, a resident of Bagh district; Sepoy Muhammad Asim, 22, from Karak district; and Sepoy Muhammad Kashif Khan, 28, a resident of Kohat district.
The ISPR said that sanitisation of the area was being carried out to eliminate any terrorist present in the area, and perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act would be brought to justice.
“Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve. The nefarious designs of India and its proxies operating on Pakistani soil will be defeated by the valiant security forces, LEAs and the brave nation of Pakistan, Insha’Allah,” the statement added.
In its statement, ISPR blamed India for orchestrating the attack. “On 6 May 2025, terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, so called ‘Baloch Liberation Army’ targeted [a] security forces’ vehicle,” the statement said.
This was a rare instance of India being directly named as orchestrating an attack attributed to the outlawed BLA.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attack on a security forces’ vehicle in Mach. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss, the prime minister paid tribute to the martyred soldiers, offered prayers for the elevation of their ranks in the hereafter and extended his condolences to the bereaved families, a PM Office news release said.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s valiant armed forces are ready to thwart the evil designs of the enemy. Such cowardly acts cannot shake our resolve in the war against terrorism, he asserted.
Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2025
