Pakistan’s Balochistan Caught In US Vs China? Exclusive From Local Sources On Zehri Attack

Last Updated:January 10, 2025, 17:52 IST

"Americans also have an interest in this area due to strategic reasons and possibly they want China to go out…China is upset due to ongoing attacks in the area and Pakistan army’s non-compliance about the safety of the Chinese workers,” said sources close to Pak...Read More

Both US and China are interested in the region, say sources. (File)

Armed gunmen from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched an attack on the main bazaar in Zehri tehsil of Khuzdar district on Wednesday morning. The BLA attacked multiple government buildings, including Force station, Nadra and municipal committee offices.

According to officials, around 80 militants entered the area around 11 pm from nearby mountains. They deployed armed men around the bazaar and other locations in the tehsil headquarters of Zehri. They set up checkpoints around the Zehri bazaar and pickets on the mountains to resist any action from security forces.

The militants stormed the Levies Thana, took the personnel hostage, ransacked the records, and set the building on fire, damaging part of the structure, furniture and other items. The armed men later attacked a private bank branch, took the staff hostage and looted over Rs 90 million from the strong room.

The banned BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.

The BLA launched the first phase of ‘Operation Herof’ in August last year. Two units of the BLA, the Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS) and the Fateh Squad, participated in this operation.

WHAT SOURCES SAY

Sources close to Pakistan establishment said, “It is not possible that these two massive operations can be done without the help and support of external forces and without the revolt of Pakistan army."

“The Pakistan army has been quiet. Americans also have an interest in this area due to strategic reasons and possibly they want China to go out…China is upset due to ongoing attacks in the area and Pakistan army’s non-compliance about the safety of the Chinese workers who are killed on daily basis by the BLA," said sources.

“The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and economic investments for mining is another interest of China. They want control on the region through this area, especially Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. On the other hand, American interests want this area for counter terrorism, regional stability and balancing China. The strategic interests of China and the US in Quetta are shaped by their economic, security and geopolitical interests," they said.

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