The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has released the first visuals of its deadly attack on a Pakistani military convoy in Noshki, Balochistan. The footage, published by the group’s media wing, Hakkal, purportedly shows the aftermath of the assault, which the BLA claims resulted in the deaths of 90 Pakistani army personnel.
However, the Pakistani police said the attack killed five officers and wounded 10 others.
According to the BLA, its Majeed Brigade and Special Unit Fateh Squad carried out the ambush, targeting a convoy of eight buses on the RCD Highway near Rakshan Mill using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). One bus was reportedly destroyed in the explosion, and the BLA claims to have systematically eliminated all military personnel on board.
However, Pakistani authorities have downplayed the casualties. Noshki police official Mohammed Zafar told AFP that a vehicle laden with explosives struck one of the seven buses in the convoy heading toward Taftan, and that only five paramilitary troops were killed.
The release of visuals comes amid heightened tensions in Balochistan, days after the BLA hijacked the Jaffar Express, taking over 450 passengers hostage before Pakistani forces claimed to have neutralized the attackers.