A coordinated militant assault on the residence of Baloch leader Mir Shafiq Mengal in Khuzdar left at least 12 members of his security team dead on Wednesday, as Pakistan continues to grapple with a surge in insurgent violence across Balochistan. Authorities said all 12 attackers involved in the assault were killed after an hours-long gun battle, while Mengal escaped unharmed.
According to preliminary reports, the assault began with two vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) explosions, believed to be suicide car bombs, that breached the compound’s perimeter.
A total of 12 militants participated in the attack, with seven storming the residence while five others remained outside to provide cover and secure the surrounding area.
Mengal and his security personnel fought back, killing all seven attackers who entered the compound, including the two suspected suicide bombers. Reinforcements from the Quick Response Force later arrived and eliminated the remaining five militants positioned outside.
The operation has since concluded. Twelve members of Mengal’s security team were killed during the intense exchange of fire, while Mengal was reported to be unharmed.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military said on Wednesday that 38 security personnel and four civilians had been killed in three major militant attacks across Balochistan over the past four days, as security forces continued operations against insurgents in the restive southwestern province.
