Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, has experienced a decades-long separatist insurgency led by various Baloch nationalist groups.[4] The Baloch Liberation Army, founded in 2000, has conducted attacks against Pakistani security forces, government installations, and infrastructure projects.[3]
In 2025, Balochistan witnessed a significant escalation in militant activities.[5] Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with terrorist attack deaths rising 45% to 1,081 compared to the previous year.[6]
The bombing occurred amid severe deterioration in India–Pakistan relations, following an April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.[3] This led to a military escalation between the two countries from May 7-10, 2025.[1]
The attack
On the morning of May 6, 2025, a Pakistan Army vehicle traveling as part of a convoy in the Mach area of Kachhi District was struck by a remote-controlled improvised explosive device.[7] The vehicle was reportedly en route to a security operation when the explosion occurred.[5] The blast completely destroyed the military vehicle, killing all seven soldiers on board.[8]
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan's military, confirmed the attack in an official statement released the same day.[7]
The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack through its spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch.[9]
Pakistan's military and government officials immediately blamed India for the attack, describing the BLA as an "Indian proxy" organization.[3][7] The ISPR statement asserted that "nefarious designs of India and its proxies operating on Pakistani soil will be defeated by the valiant security forces."[6]
Aftermath
Pakistani security forces launched sanitization operations in the Mach area to eliminate any remaining militants.[5] The military announced that "perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice" and vowed to continue counterinsurgency operations despite the losses.[7]
The ISPR statement emphasized that "Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan."[6] Security forces intensified operations in Kachhi District and surrounding areas, announcing enhanced security measures for convoys and increased intelligence gathering efforts.[1]
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack and praised the security forces for their sacrifices in the war against extremism.[6]Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyred soldiers, stating: "The entire nation salutes the martyrs who laid down their lives for the defence of Pakistan."[5] He emphasized that "such cowardly acts cannot shake our resolve in the war against terrorism."[3]
Balochistan Chief MinisterSarfraz Bugti condemned the attack and expressed sorrow over the loss of life, warning that "those who play with the peace of Balochistan will be brought to a tragic end."[2]
On April 29, 2025, prior to the attack, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had presented what he described as "irrefutable evidence" of Indian-sponsored terrorism, including intercepted audio recordings allegedly showing Indian army officers operating terror networks.[3]
India did not issue any immediate official response to the attack or to Pakistan's allegations of involvement.[11] International organizations and foreign governments also remained largely silent on the incident.[1]
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Balochistan Liberation Army