Armed Baloch rebels, fighting Pakistan for independence of Balochistan, overran two Frontier Corps (FC) posts near Quetta, seizing weapons and ammunition and setting the installations on fire, while sources in the area said at least 13 Pakistani personnel were killed.
A large number of fighters simultaneously attacked the posts in Wali Thangi, in the Zarghoon Ghar area, and Spin Karez on the outskirts of Quetta, the sources said. Officials confirmed the news about the twin attacks but disputed the claims of 13 security forces personnel getting killed in late Thursday evening attacks, according to a report of The Balochistan Post.
Heavy gunfire and explosions continued for an extended period, after which the fighters took control of both positions, seized weapons, ammunition and other military equipment, and set the posts ablaze, they added. Sources said at least 13 Pakistani personnel were killed and several others injured in the attacks.
Authorities confirmed the attacks but reported a lower death toll, identifying four of those killed as Naib Subedar Awwal Khan, Naik Noor Bakhsh, Sepoy Samiullah and Sepoy Rafiq. Officials said several other personnel remained missing following the attacks.
No group had claimed responsibility for the attacks at the time of publication. However, Baloch armed groups operate in the area, and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has previously claimed responsibility for similar attacks in Wali Thangi and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Home Department has extended the curfew in Noshki, imposing nightly restrictions from 6 PM to 6 AM. They have also enforced Section 144 across the district amid continued security measures following recent attacks on Pakistani forces and vehicles transporting minerals.
According to an official notification, all movement will remain prohibited during the curfew hours. The notification said Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure would also remain in force during the same period, banning public gatherings, processions and assemblies of more than four people across the district.
Authorities said curfew passes would be issued to designated individuals exempt from the restrictions, while routine security patrols would continue throughout Noshki. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to strictly implement the orders, with officials warning that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the curfew or Section 144.
Noshki has remained under restrictions for the past week following a series of attacks on Pakistani forces and vehicles transporting minerals from Balochistan to other parts of Pakistan.
Authorities had earlier imposed a complete district-wide curfew until July 31 following an attack on a Frontier Corps checkpoint on the Western Bypass and a subsequent operation by Pakistani forces.
The latest order extends the restrictions under a nightly schedule. During the earlier curfew, residents alleged that Pakistani forces carried out house-to-house searches and subjected people to harassment in several areas of the district.
Police sources, however, said 102 people detained during a house-to-house search operation earlier were later handed over to police after the completion of legal procedures. “Following initial screening, all of them were released to their families,” police said.
Curfews have also remained in force for several days in Mastung’s Khad Kocha area and Zehri in Khuzdar district, where Pakistani forces have increased surveillance and restrictions on movement.
