QUETTA, BALOCHISTAN: Reports have emerged of intense clashes between Pakistani forces and armed men at two separate locations in Balochistan on Thursday, July 16 in the Khadkocha area of Mastung and the Gajro Kaur area of JhaO prompting the closure of the Quetta-Karachi National Highway to all traffic.
According to local sources, a convoy of Pakistani forces was attacked at Guru on the main Quetta-Karachi highway. Sources claimed the convoy’s buses were carrying military personnel headed on leave.
Reports indicate that several buses and other vehicles, including armored vehicles, were affected in the attack. According to sources, out of ten buses in the convoy, several sustained damage, while four buses and other vehicles were directly targeted.
Local sources further claimed that a large number of personnel were killed in the attack; however, these claims have not been officially confirmed, nor have they been independently verified.
Sources said additional Pakistani forces personnel who arrived to assist the convoy were also targeted near Madina Hotel on the main highway, where two vehicles were reportedly attacked.
Regional sources say clashes are ongoing in the area, with reports of additional troop movement and gunship helicopter flights.
Following the incident, an emergency has been declared at Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital in Mastung, with tight security measures put in place at and around the hospital.
No official statement has yet been issued by Pakistani authorities or the military regarding the incident.
Separately, reports have emerged of intense clashes between Pakistani forces and armed men in the Gajro Kaur area of Jhau district.
According to regional sources, Pakistani forces entered the hilly terrain as part of a military operation, where they came under attack from armed men. Sources say intermittent heavy gunfire and explosions have continued between both sides since morning, with tension persisting in the area.
Local sources also claimed that, following the attack, security forces fired heavily and launched mortar shells at the local population, killing one young man and injuring several others.
Regional sources further claimed that Pakistani forces also suffered casualties in the clashes; however, no official confirmation or details have been released in this regard.
As of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for either incident, and Pakistani authorities have not issued any official statement.
