ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Tuesday accused India of being behind a deadly terrorist attack in Balochistan that left seven army personnel dead, further intensifying tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the soldiers were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Mach area of Balochistan’s Kachhi district. The attack was blamed on the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which Pakistan’s military referred to as an “Indian proxy.”
The BLA is one of several insurgent groups operating in the volatile southwestern province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran and hosts major Chinese infrastructure projects, including the strategic Gwadar port.
The incident comes against the backdrop of escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan following a deadly April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 Hindu tourists were killed. India accused Pakistan of being involved, claiming that two of the three suspects were Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has denied the allegations, stating it is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty against any aggression.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not yet commented on Pakistan’s latest accusation.
Diplomatic ties between the two countries have sharply deteriorated, with both sides implementing retaliatory measures. These include the suspension of trade agreements, the downgrading of diplomatic missions, and the withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty. Both nations have also closed segments of their airspace and reduced embassy staffing.
Adding to concerns of further escalation, Pakistan’s foreign ministry stated that intelligence briefed to United Nations Security Council members on Monday warned of an “imminent threat” of military action from India.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for calm and restraint, warning that any military confrontation could “easily spin out of control.” “Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink,” he urged.
The Security Council was briefed on the rising tensions, and members reportedly urged both sides to engage in dialogue and diplomacy to prevent conflict and seek peaceful solutions to their disputes.
