Karachi: In a series of coordinated strikes, heavily armed terrorists attacked multiple targets in Balochistan province, Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of four law enforcement officers, two civilians, and nine militants. The assaults, which occurred on Monday in Mach town, located around 70 km from Quetta, the provincial capital, triggered intense gun battles and raised security concerns in the region.

According to a statement from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) released on Tuesday evening, the attacks occurred overnight between January 29 and 30. The militants targeted the Mach and Kolpur Complexes in Balochistan, engaging in a violent confrontation with law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Security forces managed to neutralize nine terrorists, including three suicide bombers, while three others were captured.

The ISPR confirmed the casualties, reporting the deaths of four security personnel and two civilians since the onset of the attacks. The militants attempted to breach the heavily guarded central Mach Jail, where several dangerous inmates and individuals on death row are held. However, security forces thwarted their efforts, inflicting significant losses on the attackers.

Initial reports indicated that at least 15 rockets were fired at the Central Mach Jail during the assault. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Majeed group claimed responsibility for the attacks, marking a continuation of the ongoing unrest in the region.

Following the assaults, a prolonged exchange of fire erupted between security forces and the fleeing militants, who sought refuge in the nearby mountains. Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai confirmed that clearance operations were ongoing in Mach to root out any remaining threats.

Monday night's violence marked the deadliest attack by militants in the region this year. Last November, militants ambushed and killed 14 soldiers in Gwadar, underscoring the persistent security challenges faced by Pakistani authorities.

The recent attacks were purportedly in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes on alleged insurgent hideouts in Iran earlier in January. Tensions escalated following these strikes, with the BLA threatening further assaults on security forces in Balochistan and beyond.

The border regions of Balochistan province in Pakistan and Sistan-Baluchistan province in Iran have witnessed a prolonged insurgency by Baloch nationalists. Despite government efforts to quell the unrest, violence continues to plague the region. The porous 900-kilometer border between Iran and Pakistan facilitates the movement of smugglers and militants, exacerbating security concerns for both nations.

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