Pakistan: Clashes Reported in Kharan as Attacks Target Trucks, Bridge in Balochistan

Quetta (Terror Monitor) — Clashes have been reported between unidentified armed militants and security forces in Kharan district of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, while attacks in neighboring districts damaged six freight vehicles and an explosive attack partially damaged a bridge.

Babar Yousafzai, media adviser to the Balochistan Home Department, said militants affiliated with the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attempted to establish roadblocks in Kharan city last night and set a police vehicle on fire.

He said security forces and police were on alert and responded immediately, preventing the attackers from causing further damage before they fled. Yousafzai also claimed that the militants suffered casualties during the security forces’ response.

A local journalist in Kharan said intense gunfire and explosions were heard in several parts of the city after 10 p.m., causing panic among residents.

A police officer in Kharan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said unidentified armed men attempted to block several routes leading into and out of the city. Clashes between the militants and security forces, including police, continued late into the night.

The officer also said militants blew up the Besima police post with explosives and abducted four police officers, but later released them unharmed.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Chagai district, unidentified armed militants opened fire on four freight vehicles in the Chahtar area, damaging them.

In Kalat district, two freight vehicles loaded with cement were also damaged when militants opened fire on their tires, according to Kalat police chief Zahid Shah. He said police and other security forces launched an operation, forcing the attackers to flee toward the mountains.

In Mastung district, adjacent to Quetta, unidentified armed militants damaged a bridge with explosives at Chotu on the Quetta-Karachi highway. A government official said the blast partially damaged the bridge but did not disrupt traffic.

Meanwhile, train services from Quetta remained suspended for a second consecutive day on Wednesday.

A Pakistan Railways official in Quetta, speaking on condition of anonymity, said train services had been suspended for two days from Tuesday due to security concerns.

Security has been placed on high alert across Quetta and several other parts of Balochistan ahead of the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

The Jaffar Express service has also been suspended two to three times this month because of security concerns. The train is the only daily service connecting Quetta with Peshawar, passing through several cities in Sindh and Punjab, and is an important means of transportation for low-income and economically vulnerable passengers.

The suspension of train services has caused significant difficulties and inconvenience for passengers.