Two civilians were killed in separate attacks carried out by militants linked to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in Dera Bugti and Gwadar districts on Monday, officials and local sources said.
In Pir Koh, Dera Bugti, armed militants attacked the residence of Jan Muhammad Nosani Bugti during the night. The assailants opened fire and also used a landmine in the attack. As a result, an 80-year-old, identified as Jan Muhammad Mahak Nosani, was killed. The incident spread fear among residents in the area.
In a separate incident in Sui, gunmen shot dead a kulfi vendor, identified as Lanjo Saghari. According to sources, the attackers were affiliated with the BLA and linked to what authorities describe as “Fitna al-Hindustan,” a term used for Indian-backed militant elements. The victim belonged to the Jafferri Baloch tribe.
The killings come amid an emerging pattern of attacks targeting civilians and public infrastructure in Balochistan.
On March 29, militants targeted a power transmission line in Jhal Magsi. While the attack initially caused power disruption, officials later revealed it was part of a larger operation. After damaging the 132 kV transmission line, the perpetrators removed electrical wires from 26 poles of a 33 kV line connecting the Bhag grid station in District Kachhi to Gandawah.
Similar attacks on transmission towers were also reported in Kachhi, Naseerabad and Sibi.
Security officials say the March 29 incident, when seen alongside the latest killings, indicates an increasing focus by militant groups on soft targets, including civilians and essential infrastructure.
Authorities have launched investigations into both incidents, while security has been heightened in the affected areas.
