Daring attacks show security situation dire in Balochistan

Growing vulnerability of security men reflects the worsening situation in conflict zones

STATE OF THE NATION

March 9, 2025

TWO attacks in Khuzdar district on Saturday — one targeting a dam site and the other police and Levies Force stations — underscore the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan, suggesting that some areas may be slipping out of the control of Pakistani authorities.

The growing vulnerability of security personnel themselves, who are tasked with protecting citizens, reflects the worsening situation in Balochistan’s conflict zones, according to an analyst. Both the defence establishment and civilian leadership must take urgent measures to bring about improvements in the situation, he added.

As reported by Dawn.com, armed assailants launched attacks on Levies and police stations in Ornach, Khuzdar, setting fire to records in the buildings. In a separate incident, attackers burned machinery at a dam site in Zehri.

Authorities revealed that around 100 armed individuals surrounded the Ornach bazaar, seizing control of the police and Levies stations. They held police officers hostage, disarmed them, and set the station ablaze after ransacking the records.

While the assailants also attempted to take over the Levies station, their efforts were thwarted by the station’s personnel, who put up resistance. However, the attackers still managed to set a Levies vehicle on fire before stealing a police vehicle, 13 automatic rifles, and ammunition. The assailants remained in the area for about an hour before retreating into the surrounding mountains.

In the second attack, a group of armed men targeted a dam site in Zehri, setting fire to all machinery at the Sohndah dam. Officials reported that the attackers held the watchmen hostage before destroying the equipment. After completing their mission, the assailants fled the scene.

For details click here: Armed men set fire to Levies, police stations in Khuzdar - Pakistan - DAWN.COM