9 police officers killed by militants at checkpost in Pakistan, days after Karachi terror attack

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion is likely to fall on the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Updated on: Jul 7, 2026, 17:42:30 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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At least nine police officers were killed after dozens of militants launched a coordinated overnight assault on a police post in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Monday night, officials said on Tuesday. The attack, which took place in a remote area of Ziarat district, triggered a fierce gunbattle and marked the latest escalation in militant violence targeting security forces in the Pakistan.

Some police personnel were also injured in the attack, though officials did not disclose the exact number. (AFP)

Several police personnel were also injured in the attack, though officials did not disclose the exact number, reported Associated Press.

Eight police officers were also abducted by the attackers. However, all of them were later recovered in a security operation, Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan government told the news agency.

Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the police officers who lost their lives and expressed condolences to their families, saying such attacks “cannot sabotage peace.”

The attack comes just days after six terrorists were killed during an attack on a Sindh Rangers compound in Karachi on June 29. Four paramilitary personnel also lost their lives in that attack, which was reportedly the city's first major terrorist strike since October 2024.

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Security forces kill 15 militants

Following the attack on Monday night, security forces carried out a clearance operation in the area. Rind said the operation ended with 15 militants being killed.

He added that intelligence-based operations against militants would continue and said the authorities would respond decisively to any future attacks on security forces.

Suspicion falls on Baloch Liberation Army

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion is likely to fall on the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

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The BLA had claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a security post in the coastal town of Jiwani over the weekend. The Pakistani government has neither confirmed nor denied the claim.

Fresh security concerns near Quetta

Authorities also acknowledged that armed men attacked civilians on the outskirts of Quetta over the weekend. Since then, villagers have been holding a sit-in near the city, demanding stronger security measures and better protection against future attacks.

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The TTP danger

The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), maintain a strong presence in Balochistan and have carried out several attacks in the province.

Pakistan’s largest but least populous province has long witnessed violence linked to separatist groups as well as the Pakistani Taliban. The Baloch Liberation Army, which the United States designated a foreign terrorist organisation in 2019, has been behind several attacks targeting both security forces and civilians in recent years.

(With AP inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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