Six Pakistani soldiers, including two commandos, killed in ambush in Kalat, Balochistan

Six Pakistani soldiers, including two commandos, lost their lives in an ambush carried out by armed militants in the Manguchar area of Kalat district, according to officials and local sources. The attack marked a significant escalation in the ongoing insurgency in the region, highlighting the threat posed by well-trained militant groups operating in Balochistan.

Sources told The Balochistan Post that the convoy was subjected to heavy sniper fire from fighters positioned strategically in the surrounding hills. The precision and skill displayed by the attackers suggested the involvement of highly trained snipers, capable of conducting coordinated and deadly assaults from concealed positions.

Following the initial ambush, intense gunfire and explosions erupted, creating chaos and confusion in the area. Authorities quickly responded by sealing all entry and exit routes to Manguchar, aiming to contain the militants and prevent their escape. The security cordon was reinforced as troops and police launched a search and clearance operation in the region.

The deceased personnel were identified as Naik Tariq, Sepoy Muzammil, Sepoy Faraz, Sepoy Azam Nawaz, along with Special Services Group (SSG) commandos Shahjahan and Abshar. The loss of these soldiers represents a blow to the military’s efforts to maintain stability in the volatile region, where insurgent attacks have become increasingly frequent.

Local residents reported that heavy exchanges of fire continued for several hours after the ambush. Clashes erupted at multiple locations around Manguchar, with reports indicating that aerial support was deployed in the form of four gunship helicopters conducting shelling on nearby hills to aid ground forces.

Ambulances were seen rushing to and from the site, transporting bodies and injured personnel. According to witnesses, some bodies of soldiers were airlifted from the area, while others remained trapped in the rugged mountain ravines, complicating rescue efforts and raising concerns about the safety of remaining personnel.

No group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, Baloch “pro-independence” armed groups, particularly the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), are suspected to be behind the assault, given their history of targeting Pakistani military personnel and infrastructure in the region.

The BLA has recently intensified its operations, claiming responsibility for several deadly attacks. Just last week, the group announced responsibility for a remote-controlled IED attack on a Pakistani military patrol in Garaap, which resulted in two soldiers killed and another injured. The group also claimed to have blocked the Quetta–Karachi highway near Manguchar, resulting in clashes that killed two soldiers.

Earlier in September, the BLA claimed responsibility for a remote-controlled IED explosion in Sheikhri, Kalat, which destroyed a military truck and resulted in four soldiers killed and three injured. The group’s activities over the past year include large-scale attacks on military targets, showcasing its persistent challenge to Pakistani security forces.

In November 2024, the BLA claimed responsibility for a major operation on a military camp in Shah Mardan, Johan, where they reported killing 29 soldiers and injuring over ten others. This attack was among the deadliest in recent times, underscoring the group’s capacity to carry out large-scale assaults.