Intelligence and police officials said the ship was on a routine patrol in the coastal area near the border with Pakistan and Iran when it was fired upon, killing all three people on board.
The attack heightened concerns about expanding militancy in the restive province of Balochistan.
The BLA claimed responsibility, calling it a “new phase” of the operation
The banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack and described it as expanding the scope of its operations.According to Reuters, the organization said in a statement, “Following land operations, the maritime border operations mark a new development in BLA’s military strategy.”The attack comes amid a long-running insurgency in Balochistan, with armed groups repeatedly targeting security forces, infrastructure and state installations.
Strengthen security in coastal areas
Authorities have launched an investigation and stepped up security in the area, Reuters reported, citing intelligence and police sources. The incident occurred near Jiwani, a coastal town close to the strategically important port area of Gwadar.Gwadar and the surrounding area have been subject to repeated attacks by militants in recent years, with the insurgents often targeting security forces and infrastructure related to major development projects in the region.
Wider unrest in Balochistan
Balochistan continues to face parallel security challenges, including sectarian violence and separatist militancy. In a separate incident on Sunday, two members of the Hazara community were shot dead and three others wounded in Quetta in what authorities said was a targeted attack.Police officials said unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on vegetable vendors, triggering protests and road blockades by members of the Hazara community. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, Arab News reported.Balochistan Interior Minister Ziaullah Rangov said security forces and citizens were “working together to combat the menace of terrorism”, adding that “the murderers of innocent citizens will not stop at any cost”.