In addition to the series of attacks, Pakistan's second-largest naval air station, the PNS Siddique in Turbat, came under attack on Tuesday. The Balochistan Liberation Army's Majeed Brigade, a banned separatist militant group operating from Afghanistan, has claimed responsibility for the significant assault characterized by intense gunfire and numerous explosions.

As per the Balochistan Post, the Majeed Brigade claimed in an email to journalists, that its fighters have entered the airbase. Moreover, Chinese drones are also stationed at this base.

The Majeed Brigade is critical of China's investments in Balochistan, accusing both China and Pakistan of exploiting the region's resources.

The BLA claimed that it had caused the deaths of "over a dozen" Pakistani personnel during the assault. Additionally, the BLA circulated an audio clip purportedly recorded by one of its fighters involved in the attack on the PNS Siddique. In the clip, the fighter claimed to have targeted several vehicles during the operation. The recording features the fighter stating that multiple Pakistani vehicles have been targeted, suggesting both the continuation and escalation of the assault.

Following the attack, the District Health Officer of Kech has imposed an emergency at the Teaching Hospital in Turbat. All medical staff, including doctors, have been ordered to report immediately to manage the anticipated casualties from the assault.

As events unfolded, Turbat experienced a notable surge in military presence, with several helicopters observed patrolling the skies. According to the ground reports, intense gunfire and explosions persisted for more than three hours.

The Frontier Corps blocked numerous major Turbat roads, and a large contingent of the Frontier Corps personnel was reported to have moved towards the naval air base.

Today’s attack in Turbat marks the second attack of the week and the third attack of this year by the BLA Majeed Brigade.

On January 29, the BLA targeted Mach city, followed by an attack on Military Intelligence's headquarters in Gwadar on March 20. The recent assault on Pakistan's second-largest Naval airbase in Turbat adds to this series of incidents, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

During the attack on March 20 at the Gwadar Port Authority Complex, at least two Pakistani soldiers and eight terrorists were reported killed in the ensuing fighting following multiple blasts and gunfire.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations informed in a statement that a group of eight terrorists attempted to enter the Port Authority Colony but were “successfully thwarted” by security forces personnel.

According to reports from Dawn, Pakistan has experienced a rise in terrorist activities over the past year, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This surge coincided with the end of a ceasefire between the government and the banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in November 2022.

Image source: X