Dozens of Pakistani Army personnel were reportedly killed after an explosives-laden truck rammed into the main military camp in Balochistan’s Mastung district, triggering a massive explosion, local media reported on Thursday.
The incident took place in the Kanak area of Mastung, where a man allegedly drove the truck into the army camp, causing a powerful blast and extensive damage to the military facility, news agency IANS reported.
Citing local sources, The Balochistan Post reported that dozens of military personnel were killed in the explosion. Senior military officers were also reportedly among the casualties.
The impact of the blast was felt several kilometres away, with the explosion shattering windows of nearby houses.
Following the attack, security forces cordoned off the area. However, military authorities had not issued an official statement on the reported casualties or provided details about the incident at the time of reporting.
Series of attacks target Pakistani forces
The latest explosion comes amid a series of attacks by Baloch militant groups targeting Pakistani military and police personnel across Balochistan in recent days, resulting in casualties and damage to military infrastructure.
Earlier this week, Pakistani forces reportedly came under drone and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Mastung and Kalat districts, causing multiple casualties and material losses.
At least two drones reportedly struck the main military camp in the Khadkocha area of Mastung on Monday. The attacks were said to have caused casualties among Pakistani personnel and damaged the facility.
In a separate incident, a vehicle belonging to Pakistani forces was reportedly destroyed in an IED attack in the Marjan area of Kalat, The Balochistan Post reported.
Meanwhile, armed fighters intercepted and seized two commercial vehicles during a road blockade in the Nokchah area of Chagai district along the Quetta–Taftan highway. One of the vehicles was reportedly carrying precious stones.
The identities of those behind these attacks and the vehicle seizure remained unclear, and no group had claimed responsibility.
Baloch group claims responsibility for earlier attacks
The latest incidents came a day after the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) claimed responsibility for killing five Pakistani security personnel and injuring several others in a drone strike and an ambush on a military convoy in Balochistan’s Kachhi district.
In a statement, BRG Spokesperson Dostain Baloch said the group’s drone unit, ‘Aamir Aero Guardians’, attacked a joint Pakistani military and police camp in the Bagh area of Kachhi district on November 8. The attack allegedly killed one security personnel and left another seriously injured.
The spokesperson further claimed that around two hours later, BRG fighters ambushed a military convoy in the Bolan area of Kachhi using rockets and other heavy weapons.
According to the statement, four personnel were killed and several others injured in the ambush, while military vehicles sustained extensive damage, The Balochistan Post reported.
The reported attacks highlight the continuing security challenges facing Pakistani forces in Balochistan, where militant groups have stepped up operations against military and law enforcement targets.
(With IANS inputs)
Pakistan Army camp rocked by massive blast in Balochistan; dozens killed
