'Sniper unit fired upon convoy': 27 Pakistani troops killed in separate attacks by Baloch fighters; IEDs also used

Over the past two days, Baloch insurgent groups have claimed responsibility for a string of deadly attacks on Pakistani military forces in Balochistan, reportedly killing at least 27 soldiers, according to The Balochistan Post.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) said its Fateh Squad targeted a military transport bus in Kalat’s Nimargh Cross area, killing 27 troops and injuring several others.

The bus was reportedly ferrying personnel from Karachi to Quetta. BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch stated that civilians, including qawwali performers on board, were not intended targets, though Dawn reported three civilian deaths, including two qawwals.

In another incident, the BLA claimed to have killed two soldiers and injured seven with a remote-controlled IED in Quetta’s Hazarganji area.

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) also announced two separate operations. On Tuesday, it said an IED blast in Kalat’s Khazina area killed four soldiers. On Wednesday, it claimed to have ambushed a military unit in Awaran’s Gujro Kor area, killing six, including Major Syed Rab Nawaz Tariq from Muzaffarabad.

Later, a sniper unit fired upon a nearby military convoy, forcing a retreat

The BLF denied state media reports that three of its "fighters" were killed, alleging that Pakistani forces may have staged fake encounters.

Balochistan has witnessed a decades-long insurgency by separatist groups seeking independence from Pakistan, with Islamabad claiming the rebellion has been largely suppressed -- a claim challenged by continued militant violence.