A clash between Pakistan and Balochistan has resulted in the death of seven Pakistani soldiers, at least 13 militants with dozens more dead in an ongoing fight, the army said on Thursday, February 3, 2022.

Baloch separatists stepped up attacks against Pakistan forces in recent weeks including a deadly bomb blast in the eastern megacity of Lahore last month (January).

Interior Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said Pakistan forces came under attack late Wednesday (February 2, 2022) in the Naushki and Panjgur districts of Balochistan, an oil-and gas-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan.

A total of seven soldiers and 13 militants were killed in the twin assaults, the army said.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed to have killed dozens of Pakistani troops in attacks on security personnel camps.

On Thursday (February 3, 202) afternoon, the BLA said its assault on state forces in Naushki was “successfully completed” and had “eliminated at least 100 personnel of Pakistani military including an officer”. But a senior Pakistan army official called the claim “a lie”.

The BLA said nine of its members were killed “after several hours of continuous battle”, and clashes were still ongoing in Panjgur.

The army said it has encircled four or five militants there, and also released images showing dead fighters with assault rifles, grenades and night-vision goggles.

Baloch separatists frequently amplify their battlefield successes, while the Pakistan military’s public relations department also play down losses, or delays reporting them.

Balochistan Home Minister, Zia Lango told reporters that the death toll of state forces could be as high as 12, including paramilitary personnel.

At the site of the attack in Naushki shops were shuttered with streets left deserted.

According to reports, the mobile phone network was also shut down as police and paramilitary patrols took place.

Prime Minister, Imran Khan, said on Twitter that Pakistan “stands united behind our security forces who continue to give great sacrifices to protect us”.

The latest attacks come a week after ten Pakistani troops were slain in a checkpoint firefight in the Kech District of Balochistan.

Balochistan is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. It is the largest province in terms of land area, forming the southwestern region of the country, but is the least populated. Its provincial capital and largest city is Quetta.

It has abundant natural resources, but locals say they have harboured resentment, claiming they do not receive a fair share of its riches.

Tensions have been stoked further by a flood of Chinese investment under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, which locals say has not reached them.

Again, China is investing in the area under a $54-billion project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, upgrading infrastructure, power and transport links between its far-western Xinjiang region and Pakistan’s Gwadar port.

Pakistani forces in Balochistan also face attacks from the domestic chapter of the Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.