The United Baloch Army (UBA) on Tuesday, 11 August claimed responsibility for destroying a bridge in Kachhi district of Balochistan Province, Pakistan, according to local media reports. The attack, carried out on Saturday evening, targeted a bridge at Sabri on Sanni Road near Dhadar and rendered it completely unusable, the group said.

Details of the Attack

UBA spokesperson Mazar Baloch, in a statement cited by the Balochistan Post, said the group's fighters used explosives to destroy the bridge. According to the spokesperson, the Pakistan military had used the bridge daily to transport military supplies and for operational purposes. Mazar Baloch stated that the 'enemy's logistics and movement' in the area had been 'severely disrupted' by the strike.

The spokesperson added that 'the route is now completely destroyed' and warned that such attacks would continue 'until the establishment of an independent Balochistan.'

Significance of the Timing

The attack coincides with Balochistan's 79th Independence Day — observed on Tuesday, 11 August — continuing an annual tradition that defies what Baloch human rights groups describe as Pakistan's 'illegal occupation' of the region. The province had declared independence on 11 August 1947, a year before it was annexed by Pakistan in 1948.

Human Rights and Structural Exclusion

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), based on its fieldwork in the province, has flagged 'escalating erosion of human rights and civic space in Balochistan.' The commission's findings pointed to 'a convergence of structural exclusion, gendered vulnerability, repression of youth voices and the weakening of public institutions.'

Critics argue this exclusion is not recent — it traces back to 1948, when the province was annexed despite having declared independence the previous year.

Balochistan: Rich in Resources, Poor in Development

Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province, covering 43.6% of the country's total area, yet it has the lowest population density at 42.90 per sq km. The province holds significant reserves of natural gas, gold, copper, oil, precious stones, and chromite. Its 770-km coastline accounts for 70% of Pakistan's total coastline, and Gwadar Port — presented as a national economic game-changer — is located here.

Despite this resource wealth, Balochistan remains Pakistan's least developed province. Its poverty rate stands at 47%, nearly double the national poverty rate of 28.9% recorded in 2024-25. The province has long demanded equitable rights over its natural resources, which it accuses Islamabad of exploiting. Armed separatist groups like the UBA cite state repression and human rights violations as the basis for their insurgency.

What Comes Next

The UBA's explicit warning of continued attacks signals an escalation in militant activity in the province. Security analysts will be watching whether Pakistani authorities move to reinforce supply routes or intensify counter-insurgency operations in Kachhi district in the days ahead.