BLA Takes Control of Mangochar City: Shuts Quetta-Karachi Highway and Holds Pakistani Officials Hostage

Balochistan (The Uttam Hindu): Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan after the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed a major control over Mangochar town in Kalat district in Pakistan's troubled province of Balochistan. The BLA has also closed the strategically important Quetta-Karachi highway. According to information received from India Today, the armed wing of the BLA has taken control of government buildings in Mangochar city. Reports also suggest that they have taken some Pakistani soldiers and government officials hostage. This action has raised concerns of the Pakistan army and government.

According to a report in the Dawn newspaper, masked gunmen closed the Quetta-Karachi highway near Mangochar on Friday evening. These gunmen are suspected to be associated with the BLA. They stopped and searched several vehicles, including private cars and passenger buses, on the highway. Eyewitnesses said that the gunmen also entered the Mangochar market and set fire to several government buildings.

The attack comes days after a recent improvised explosive device (IED) attack by the BLA that killed at least 10 Pakistani soldiers. No official statement has been issued by the Pakistan government regarding the situation in Mangochar yet. However, according to information, Pakistani security forces are gathering for a retaliatory action to regain control of the city. This incident has happened at a time when tensions are already high between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.