Fresh Terrorist Attack Kills Seven Workers In Pakistan's Gwadar Port Amid Opposition To Chinese Investment Under CPEC

In the midst of strong opposition to Chinese investment in the Gwadar Port from Baloch militants, a recent terrorist attack in Pakistan's Balochistan province claimed the lives of seven workers.

The attack, which took place on Thursday (9 May), involved unidentified gunmen opening fire on a residential area near the Gwadar Fish Harbour in the Surbandar area, resulting in seven fatalities and one injury.

This incident occurred following a previous attack on 20 March, where Baloch insurgents armed with automatic weapons targeted the Gwadar Port Authority complex. Despite this, security forces were able to thwart the attack, killing at least seven militants.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, claimed responsibility for the earlier attack, citing opposition to China's investments in the region, while no responsibility has been claimed for the recent attack.

The BLA alleges that both China and Pakistan are exploiting the province's resources. Although security forces successfully prevented the attack, it underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by the region, particularly due to the long-standing violent insurgency in Balochistan.

Baloch insurgent groups have targeted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the past, viewing them as a means to disrupt Chinese interests in the region.

Despite the efforts to enhance security, the incident highlights the persistent threat of terrorism in the region, with Pakistan experiencing a record high in violence-related fatalities and terror attacks in 2023.

This attack has occurred amidst Pakistan's efforts to address the increased terrorism incidents following the Taliban's assumption of power in Kabul.