Over 50 Pakistani soldiers killed or injured in deadly attack by BLA

Pakistan-occupied Balochistan, Jan 5 (NVI) Over 50 Pakistani soldiers were left dead or injured in a major suicide attack carried out by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on a military convoy in Turbat district of Balochistan on Saturday evening.

A suicide bomber of BLA targeted the convoy of 13 buses carrying personnel of paramilitary force Frontier Corps (FC) when it was on its way to Kech district of Balochistan from Karachi in Sindh, various reports said.

As the convoy was on the move, the suicide bomber blew himself up close to it, causing a huge explosion which completely destroyed one bus as it turned into a ball of flame.

The bus was carrying 53 FC personnel and most of them were killed or critically injured, they said.

At least two more vehicles, part of the military convoy, were badly damaged due to the explosion.

The Pakistan government was yet to officially give the casualty figure, apparently because of the huge setback and embarrassment caused to the military.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) was quick to own responsibility for the attack.

In a statement issued to NVI, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said the suicide attack was carried out by a member of the Majeed Brigade, which specializes in such operations.

“Majeed Brigade, Fidayeen unit of Baloch Liberation Army, today carried out a fidayeen attack on a convoy of the occupying Pakistani army in Turbat, eliminating several military personnel,” the spokesman said.

He said a detailed statement would be released to the media soon.

This news item will be updated when the detailed statement is issued. (NVI)