Mineral Transport Trucks Attacked in Kharan, BLA Accepts Responsibility
SHAAL, BALOCHISTAN: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has taken responsibility for an attack on trucks transporting minerals along a road linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Kharan district of Balochistan. The group said the action was carried out to prevent the export and exploitation of local natural resources.
In a statement issued by BLA spokesperson Azad Baloch, the organisation said its fighters established a temporary blockade on March 12 on the Yakmach road in Kharan, which the group referred to as part of the “so-called CPEC route.” According to the statement, the blockade was intended to intercept vehicles transporting minerals and other natural resources from the region.
During the checkpoint operation, BLA fighters stopped five trucks that were carrying natural stone. The organisation said the vehicle drivers were local Baloch residents and were therefore released after being warned. However, one of the trucks was set on fire while the remaining vehicles were damaged by gunfire.
In its statement, the BLA said that it has maintained a ban for the past four years on the transportation and export of “national resources” through that route. The group said that during this period, it has conducted several attacks on transport companies involved in the movement of minerals and other materials from Balochistan.
The organisation also said that authorities and contractors transporting minerals have adopted methods to conceal such shipments in order to avoid attacks.
According to the BLA, trucks and trailers carrying minerals are sometimes covered with vegetables or other ordinary goods in an attempt to disguise the cargo. The group said it remains aware of such practices and was monitoring highways across Balochistan to identify vehicles transporting natural resources.
The BLA further warned transport companies and drivers against assisting in the transportation of resources from Balochistan, urging them to avoid facilitating the exploitation of Balochistan’s natural wealth.
The Baloch Liberation Army is a pro-freedom armed organisation that has been involved in the struggle for freedom of Balochistan for several years. The organisation has carried out attacks on security forces, infrastructure projects, and transport routes linked to resource extraction and development initiatives.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major infrastructure and development initiative linking Pakistan with China, passes through several parts of Balochistan.
The Pakistan authorities claim that the project is vital for economic development and regional connectivity, but the Baloch pro-freedom parties and groups, however, say that the local population do not benefit from the region’s resources and several people have been forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands in the name of CPEC.
