QUETTA, Pakistan — Dozens of armed separatists briefly seized management of a high-security space in a metropolis in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing a authorities official and looting a financial institution earlier than fleeing, police and officers mentioned.
Hidayat Buledi, an area authorities official, was killed and his residence was set on fireplace within the assault on Sorab, within the Balochistan area, native police chief Hafeez Ullah mentioned.
He mentioned Buledi was “martyred” whereas making an attempt to guard ladies and kids trapped contained in the burning home in the course of the assault.
Ullah mentioned a number of insurgents have been killed within the shootout with police.
The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, which was designated a terror group by the US in 2019, claimed duty for the assault. In an announcement, BLA mentioned its fighters had taken management of key authorities buildings in Sorab.
Ullah dismissed the declare, saying the insurgents fled when safety forces responded to the assault. He mentioned the attackers stormed Buledi’s residence and likewise set fireplace to a number of residences of presidency officers. 4 civilians have been injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault, saying the assailants focused civilians, together with ladies and kids.
Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, blamed Indian proxies for the assault with out providing any proof.
There was no speedy remark from New Delhi.
Sorab, a metropolis identified for its apple and grape orchards, is situated close to a key China-Pakistan trade route, which incorporates roads and rail programs to hyperlink western China’s Xinjiang area to Pakistan’s southwestern Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea.