Militants Attack Sparks Chaos in Restive Balochistan

Militants stormed a police station and banks in southwestern Pakistan's Mastung, killing a boy and wounding others. Officials launched a security operation, suspecting the Baloch Liberation Army's involvement. Balochistan, a region with a history of separatist insurgency, is also home to other militant groups.

In a daring attack on Tuesday, armed militants stormed a police station and set ablaze two banks in Pakistan's volatile southwestern province of Balochistan. The raid left a young boy dead and injured nine others before the insurgents fled the scene, according to local officials.

The tragedy unfolded in Mastung district, where attackers fired indiscriminately at civilians. Jan Mohammad, a local government administrator, confirmed the casualties and noted that some militants were killed during a subsequent shootout with security forces.

A security operation has been initiated to track down the perpetrators, reported provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind. While no group has claimed responsibility, suspicion falls on the Baloch Liberation Army, previously designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Balochistan has faced a longstanding insurgency from separatist groups, alongside threats from Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State affiliates.

(With inputs from agencies.)