QUETTA: Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants have targeted public infrastructure and development projects in Balochistan, damaging roads and attacking a mineral exploration project in what security officials described as an attempt to disrupt trade, create public hardship and undermine economic activity.
In the latest incident, militants used stolen heavy machinery to tear up several kilometres of the Kharan-Yakmach Road near Ari Kalag in Kharan, security officials said.
The route forms part of the Pakistan-Iran trade corridor linking Taftan with Karachi and serves as an important artery for local communities, transporters and businesses.
The road has also been targeted by Baloch separatists in the past.
The latest damage disrupted the movement of ordinary citizens and affected local commercial activity. Security officials said the militants sought to block traffic and disrupt transportation and trade.
Security forces later launched an operation in the area, killing several militants and recovering a large quantity of explosives, officials said.
Security officials said the incident reflected a broader pattern in which militants deliberately target roads, infrastructure and development projects rather than limiting attacks to security forces.
“Destroying public infrastructure only creates hardship for the people,” officials said, adding that such actions undermine economic opportunities rather than serve local communities.
The officials said attacks on roads and infrastructure can disrupt transportation, trade and access to essential services while creating uncertainty around development projects and investment in the province.
Meanwhile, in Mashkhel, the BLA claimed responsibility for an attack on a lithium exploration project. Militants set fire to four drilling machines and five vehicles linked to the project, according to officials.
The attack came as mineral exploration and infrastructure development expand across resource-rich areas of Balochistan, raising security concerns for economic projects and investors.
According to security officials, militants damage development projects and public infrastructure and then seek to exploit the resulting hardship through anti-state propaganda.
Officials described the strategy as an attempt to undermine Balochistan’s economic development, discourage investment and deprive local communities of employment and economic opportunities.
Despite the attacks, officials said the government would continue development work, particularly in roads, education, healthcare and economic sectors.
Security officials said the state would also strengthen security around public infrastructure and development projects and continue operations against militants across Balochistan.
