Attack on Convoy of Chinese Engineers Near Gwadar Port

Pakistan – A prominent Baloch militant group -Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched an attack on a convoy transporting Chinese engineers to the strategically significant Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan on Sunday. The incident led to an intense exchange of fire between the attackers and Pakistani security forces in Balochistan’s Gwadar area, resulting in the elimination of one terrorist, as reported by Dawn newspaper, citing the nation’s military media division.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), known for its separatist inclinations, claimed responsibility for the attack, dubbing it as an operation by the “BLA Majeed Brigade.” While security sources confirmed the assault on the convoy carrying Chinese engineers, there was no immediate official confirmation available, according to AFP reports.

Several injured have been brought to hospitals in Gwadar after today’s attack on Chinese engineers. pic.twitter.com/4Ow5qvx0Ht

— The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) August 13, 2023

The incident underscores a persistent challenge to security and stability in Pakistan, particularly in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Following the cessation of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) ceasefire in November of the previous year, the nation has experienced an upsurge in terrorist activities. A report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies revealed a notable increase in terror-related incidents, resulting in the loss of 389 lives in the first half of this year.

Past occurrences have seen various factions advocating Baloch separatism taking responsibility for targeting projects affiliated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These assaults have prompted substantial deployments of security personnel to safeguard Beijing’s strategic interests in the region.

Baloch separatist groups often publicize their activities, while Pakistan’s military public relations tend to downplay or delay the dissemination of information related to such incidents.

In April of the previous year, a female suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi, claiming the lives of three Chinese academics and their Pakistani driver. The BLA claimed responsibility for this tragic incident.

BLA has released images of Majeed Brigade fighters who attacked Chinese convoy in Gwadar today. The org has identified them as Naveed Baloch alias Aslam of Dasht Nigor and Maqbool Baloch alias Qaim of Awaran. pic.twitter.com/pcOitnOSxP

— The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) August 13, 2023

In a similar vein, a year earlier, a deadly attack attributed to Pakistan’s Taliban resulted in the loss of five lives at a high-end hotel in Quetta, where the Chinese ambassador was residing. Furthermore, in 2021, a devastating explosion on a bus carrying employees to the Dasu dam site resulted in the deaths of twelve individuals, including nine Chinese laborers.

The recent attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in the region and underscores the need for concerted efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of both local and foreign personnel engaged in developmental projects.