Unknown armed men attacked vehicles of Pakistani security forces in the Chahtar area of Darbandin in Chagai district, located in the northwestern corner of Balochistan province, local media reported on Thursday, 6 August. The attackers opened fire with automatic weapons, triggering an exchange of gunfire, according to the Balochistan Post, which cited local sources. No official statement has been issued by the Pakistani government on casualties or property damage.

Highway Blockades and Vehicle Searches

Separately, armed men set up a blockade on the main highway between Al Bat and Patkan in Kharan district, stopping traffic for several hours and searching passing vehicles. The disruption resulted in long queues of vehicles on the highway, according to local sources. The blockade was part of a broader pattern of insurgent activity that has intensified across the province in recent days.

BLA's 'Economic Blockade' and Escalating Attacks

The incidents come against the backdrop of an 'economic blockade' declared by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Since the announcement, the group has reportedly established control over major highways across Balochistan. According to the Balochistan Post, more than 200 vehicles have been set ablaze since the blockade began. Last week, Baloch armed fighters launched a series of coordinated attacks on Pakistani forces and installations across multiple districts, leaving several personnel dead.

Convoy Attacks and Infrastructure Destruction

A large Pakistani military convoy heading to Noshki city was attacked on the N-40 highway near the Killi Batto area. The convoy reportedly included bulletproof vehicles and was accompanied by police personnel. Reports suggest security personnel were killed in the attack, though the exact number could not be confirmed. A police vehicle assigned to the Deputy Commissioner was struck; the official reportedly escaped without injury.

This attack followed a separate strike on another military convoy near Noshki city days earlier, which resulted in the deaths of three personnel and injuries to three others. In Chagai district's Nokchah area, armed fighters also fired on a mineral-transport convoy and subsequently seized and torched multiple vehicles.

Levies Station and Telecom Tower Blown Up in Harnai

In Harnai district, armed fighters blocked the highway near the Zinda Pir area, searched vehicles, and remained in position for several hours before detonating explosives at the nearby Delkona Levies station and a telecommunications tower in Pan Ghar. The destruction of the Levies post and telecom infrastructure signals a deliberate effort to degrade both state security presence and communications in the region.

Balochistan has witnessed a sustained surge in militant activity in recent months, with the BLA and affiliated groups expanding their operational footprint beyond traditional strongholds. The Pakistani government has yet to issue a comprehensive public accounting of casualties or damage from the latest wave of attacks.