Baloch separatist insurgents launched an assault on the Gwadar Port Authority complex in Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province on Thursday.
Overview
Armed with automatic weapons, the militants targeted the strategic port, aiming to disrupt operations and challenge security forces in the region. Security forces swiftly responded to the attack, engaging the insurgents in a fierce firefight. Gwadar Senior Superintendent of Police Zohaib Mohsin reported that at least seven attackers were killed during the operation.
Commissioner Makran Division Saeed Ahmed Umrani confirmed the incident, stating that a clearing operation was underway to ensure the area’s safety.
Motive
The Majeed Brigade, a faction of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the attack. Known for targeting security forces and Chinese interests, the BLA opposes China’s investments in Balochistan, accusing both Beijing and Islamabad of exploiting the province’s abundant resources.
Political Response and Security Measures
Baloch Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti commended the swift action taken by security agencies in neutralising the assailants. He emphasised the government’s uncompromising stance against violence, asserting that perpetrators would face no leniency from the state.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his government’s commitment to combat cross-border terrorism, emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts.
Eight terrorists tried to attack the Gwadar Port Authority complex today. All of them have been neutralised by security forces. The message is loud & clear. Whosoever chooses to use violence will see no mercy from the state. Kudos to all law enforcement bravehearts who fought…
— Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) March 20, 2024
Balochistan’s History of Insurgency, Security Challenges
Balochistan, a region bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been plagued by violent insurgency. Previous attacks by Baloch separatist groups targeted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a cornerstone project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The attack underscores the persistent security challenges faced by Pakistan, particularly in regions like Balochistan. With thousands of Chinese personnel engaged in CPEC projects, ensuring their safety remains a top priority for Pakistani authorities.
In 2018, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Chinese Consulate-General in Karachi. Soon after, two children of Chinese nationality were killed and three others wounded in an attack on the Gwadar port.
Then, in 2019, a luxury hotel near a China-funded project in Balochistan was attacked by gunmen, resulting in the death of eight people.
Last July, an explosion in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province caused a bus to tumble into a ravine, resulting in the death of 12 people, including nine Chinese nationals.