A convoy of Chinese engineers in the southern coastal city of Gawadar, Balochistan, was attacked by gunmen. The separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which is banned in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack on social media. Security forces launched an operation in response to the confirmed presence of terrorists in the area.
Security forces successfully neutralized the attackers, killing both gunmen. All members of the Chinese convoy and security officials involved in the exchange of fire remained unharmed. The operation concluded after the gunmen were killed.
Gawadar, a strategic seaport town, is undergoing developmental projects with the support of Chinese engineers and funding from the Chinese government. Baloch separatist groups, including the BLA, have previously targeted China-linked development projects in the province. The attack took place near the Pak-China Technical Institute and other government offices in the area. The Balochistan province, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is significant due to its natural resources and strategic location.
Following the attack, the Chinese consulate general in Karachi issued a safety warning, urging vigilance and caution due to the security situation. The Chinese government has been investing in the region to connect its Xinjiang province to the Arabian Sea through infrastructure projects.
Balochistan is rich in resources like copper, zinc, and natural gas, making it strategically important. However, the region has been plagued by armed groups, and cities in the province are often targets of violence. The unrest is partly a response to China’s investment plans aimed at linking Xinjiang with the Arabian Sea through transportation networks. Baloch nationalists initially sought a share of provincial resources but later shifted towards advocating for complete independence.
