Pakistan Under Attack: Balochistan Liberation Army Targets Second-Largest Naval Air Base
In a fresh attack that has sent shockwaves throughout Pakistan, the country’s second-largest naval air station, PNS Siddique, situated in Turbat, came under a fierce attack in the late hours of Monday. The assault, marked by multiple explosions and gunfire, resulted in the death of one paramilitary soldier, while security forces claimed to have neutralized all five attackers in a retaliatory action.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a banned outfit, has openly claimed responsibility for the attack, targeting the naval airbase over its opposition to Chinese presence in the natural resources rich Balochistan. The BLA’s opposition centers around the presence of Chinese drones at the airbase, signaling a deeper geopolitical rift.
The Attack in Detail
- Immediate Action: The Pakistan Navy reported that the five attackers were killed as they attempted to breach the security perimeter of PNS Siddique. This swift response averted a potentially massive loss of life and equipment, they claimed.
- Casualties: Alongside the attackers, one paramilitary soldier was reported to have been killed while fighting the attackers.
- BLA’s Statement: The BLA asserts its militants managed to infiltrate the airbase, signaling a worrying breach of security protocols.
- Government Response: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office released a statement highlighting the avoidance of a “huge loss,” indicative of the potential scale of the threat.
Wider Context of the Assault
This recent attack is not an isolated incident but part of a series of aggressive moves by the BLA’s Majeed Brigade. Previously, the brigade has been involved in attacks on Mach city on January 29 and the Military Intelligence headquarters in Gwadar on March 20. The latter incident resulted in casualties on both sides, with two Pakistani soldiers and eight terrorists perishing during the engagement.
The Strategic Importance of Turbat
The choice of Turbat’s PNS Siddique for this attack is particularly significant given its strategic position and the assets it houses, including Chinese drones. Turbat and the Gwadar port, integral to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), underline the critical nature of Chinese investments in the region’s infrastructure and energy sectors.
A Surge in Terrorism
Pakistan has witnessed a concerning rise in terrorist activities, especially in the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This resurgence aligns with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s announcement ending its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. The attacks highlight the volatile security situation in Pakistan, challenging both local and foreign interests within its borders.
National Response
Following the attack, an emergency was declared at the Teaching Hospital Turbat by the District Health Officer of Kech, calling all doctors to immediate service.
As Pakistan deals with this latest episode of violence, the national and international community watches nervously, because such confrontations can easily spiral into a regional stability problem.
