QUETTA, BALOCHISTAN: Reports have emerged of armed men setting up roadblocks on major highways and engaging in intense clashes with Pakistani forces in the Kech, Basima and Sorab areas of Balochistan.
Near Dasht Tolgi in Kech, armed men blocked the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route for several hours, searching vehicles that passed through.
According to sources, the roadblock included armed women alongside male fighters, who were reportedly carrying flags of a Baloch separatist armed organization. The armed men reportedly spoke with civilians passing through the area during this time.
Separately, near Gidar in Sorab, a large number of armed men established a roadblock on the main highway, while similar roadblocks and checkpoints manned by heavily armed men were also reported in Basima, Patak and Zaik.
Intense clashes between Pakistani forces and armed men are reportedly ongoing at these locations, with heavy gunfire and explosions heard in the area.
Local administration and police have advised civilians to avoid traveling on the affected highways to prevent any untoward incident.
According to initial reports, there are fears of casualties among security forces personnel in the clashes, though final details are still awaited.
It is worth noting that Baloch separatist armed organizations remain active across Balochistan and have been involved in similar activities in the past; however, no organization has claimed responsibility for these latest incidents as of the time of publication.
