Pakistan steps up security in Balochistan

ISN SECURITY WATCH (Friday, 24 February: 11.56 CET) – Pakistani police have set up 28 checkpoints in Sindh and Balochistan provinces ostensibly to check criminal movements in the restive area, local media reported.

The move comes after a series of attacks on gas installations and military forces in Balochistan’s Sui and Dera Bugti areas.

Late on Wednesday, suspected militants ambushed a military convoy in Balochistan, killing two soldiers and wounding four others.

Militants reportedly attacked the convoy with rockets and machine guns and then fled into the mountains.

No specific group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a separate incident, four soldiers were injured when a landmine planted by suspected rebels exploded under a military vehicle in the same area.

Attackers also blew up small natural gas pipelines in Balochistan’s Dera Bugti district. It was the second such attack in two days.

Militants in Balochistan have stepped up their fight for greater autonomy, more control over the region’s gas wealth and more rights for the local tribal people.

Since the beginning of the year, militants have launched at least a dozen attacks on oil pipelines in the region.

The Balochistan Liberation Army, a tribal militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Last week, gunmen on a motorcycle killed three Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver working for a Chinese company offering technical assistance to Pakistan.