Attack on PNS Siddique

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{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Attack on PNS Siddique

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| date = March 26, 2024

| place = Turbat, Pakistan

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| result = Infiltration attempt foiled

  • All militants killed

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| combatant1 = {{navy|PAK}}

| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Balochistan flag.svg}} BLA

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| strength2 = 4 militants

| casualties1 = 1 Frontier Corps soldier killed

| casualties2 = 4 militants killed

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The Attack on PNS Siddique was a terrorist attack that occurred on March 26, 2024, at the PNS Siddique Naval Air Base in Turbat, Pakistan. The attack was carried out by the Majeed Brigade of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The BLA claimed responsibility for the assault, citing opposition to Chinese investments in the Balochistan.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Tahir |date=2024-03-26 |title=FC soldier martyred, 4 terrorists killed as security forces thwart attack on naval base in Turbat: ISPR |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1823879 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=Soldier martyred, four terrorists killed as security forces foil attack on Turbat naval base |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2460543/soldier-martyred-four-terrorists-killed-as-security-forces-foil-attack-on-turbat-naval-base |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=tribune.com.pk |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=Pakistan naval base attack kills one paramilitary soldier, four militants, army says |url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2482911/pakistan |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shahid |first=Behram Baloch {{!}} Saleem |date=2024-03-26 |title=Attack on navy base in Turbat 'foiled' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1823848 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

Background

The PNS Siddique Naval Air Base is Pakistan's second-largest naval air station, located in Balochistan. The BLA has been critical of China's involvement in Balochistan, accusing both China and Pakistan of exploiting the region's resources.{{Cite web |title=Pakistani separatists turn their sights on China {{!}} Lowy Institute |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pakistani-separatists-turn-their-sights-china |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=www.lowyinstitute.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2018-11-24 |title=Why are separatist militants violently targeting Chinese in Pakistan? |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/2174837/why-are-separatist-militants-violently-targeting-chinese |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

Details

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that militants attacked from three sides of the airport boundary, but the security forces successfully foiled the attempt to infiltrate. It reported that in the ensuing clearance operation, all four militants were successfully killed. It further said that a soldier from the Frontier Corps was also killed in the exchange of fire.

Reactions

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for foiling the terrorist attack on the naval air base.{{Cite web |title=PM commends security forces for foiling terrorist attack on Turbat Naval Air Base |url=https://www.radio.gov.pk/26-03-2024/pm-commends-security-forces-for-foiling-terrorist-attack-on-turbat-naval-air-base |date=2024-03-26 |work=Radio Pakistan}}

References