Eight militants were killed after an attack on Pakistan’s Gwadar port authority complex in the Balochistan province, according to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. The militants, affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), attempted to attack the complex but were neutralized by security forces. The attack included a blast followed by gunfire and explosions in the area. The Gwadar port is crucial to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is part of China President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. This attack comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s firm declaration against cross-border terrorism. The Balochistan region, with its rich minerals and resources, has been a target of Chinese investments and development, despite facing separatist insurgency from groups like the BLA. The group opposes China and Pakistan’s exploitation of resources in the region. Balochistan shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan. The successful operation to neutralize the attackers at the Gwadar port complex highlights the commitment of Pakistani security forces to tackling terrorism and preserving stability in the region. The swift response to the attack demonstrates the government’s determination to protect vital infrastructure projects like the CPEC from security threats.
Source
Photo credit www.hindustantimes.com
