2025 Machh bombing
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2025. (Discuss) Proposed since May 2025. |
| 2025 Machh bombing | |
|---|---|
| Part of Insurgency in Balochistan | |
 | |
| Location | Machh, Kachhi District, Balochistan, Pakistan |
| Date | May 6, 2025 Morning (PKT) |
Attack type | IED attack |
| Weapons | Remote-controlled improvised explosive device |
| Deaths | 7 soldiers |
| Injured | 0 |
| Victims | Pakistan Army personnel |
| Perpetrators |  BLA |
The 2025 Machh bombing was an improvised explosive device attack that occurred on May 6, 2025, in the Machh area of Kachhi District, Balochistan, Pakistan.[1] The attack targeted a Pakistan Army vehicle, killing all seven soldiers on board.[2] The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred during heightened tensions between Pakistan and India.[3]
Background
[edit]Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, has experienced a decades-long separatist insurgency led by various Baloch nationalist groups.[4] The Baloch Liberation Army, founded in 2000, has conducted attacks against Pakistani security forces, government installations, and infrastructure projects.[3]
In 2025, Balochistan witnessed a significant escalation in militant activities.[5] Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with terrorist attack deaths rising 45% to 1,081 compared to the previous year.[6]
The bombing occurred amid severe deterioration in India–Pakistan relations, following an April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.[3] This led to a military escalation between the two countries from May 7-10, 2025.[1]
The attack
[edit]On the morning of May 6, 2025, a Pakistan Army vehicle traveling as part of a convoy in the Mach area of Kachhi District was struck by a remote-controlled improvised explosive device.[7] The vehicle was reportedly en route to a security operation when the explosion occurred.[5] The blast completely destroyed the military vehicle, killing all seven soldiers on board.[8]
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan's military, confirmed the attack in an official statement released the same day.[7]
| Rank | Name | Age | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subedar | Umar Farooq | 42 | Karachi |
| Naik | Asif Khan | 28 | Karak |
| Naik | Mashkoor Ali | 28 | Orakzai |
| Sepoy | Tariq Nawaz | 26 | Lakki Marwat |
| Sepoy | Wajid Ahmed Faiz | 28 | Bagh |
| Sepoy | Muhammad Asim | 22 | Karak District |
| Sepoy | Muhammad Kashif Khan | 28 | Kohat |
Responsibility
[edit]The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack through its spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch.[9]
Pakistan's military and government officials immediately blamed India for the attack, describing the BLA as an "Indian proxy" organization.[3][7] The ISPR statement asserted that "nefarious designs of India and its proxies operating on Pakistani soil will be defeated by the valiant security forces."[6]
Aftermath
[edit]Pakistani security forces launched sanitization operations in the Mach area to eliminate any remaining militants.[5] The military announced that "perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice" and vowed to continue counterinsurgency operations despite the losses.[7]
The ISPR statement emphasized that "Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan."[6] Security forces intensified operations in Kachhi District and surrounding areas, announcing enhanced security measures for convoys and increased intelligence gathering efforts.[1]
The bombing was followed by additional attacks in Balochistan, including a May 21, 2025 suicide bombing of an army school bus in Khuzdar District that killed at least five people including three children.[10]
Reactions
[edit]President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack and praised the security forces for their sacrifices in the war against extremism.[6] Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyred soldiers, stating: "The entire nation salutes the martyrs who laid down their lives for the defence of Pakistan."[5] He emphasized that "such cowardly acts cannot shake our resolve in the war against terrorism."[3]
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack and expressed sorrow over the loss of life, warning that "those who play with the peace of Balochistan will be brought to a tragic end."[2]
On April 29, 2025, prior to the attack, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had presented what he described as "irrefutable evidence" of Indian-sponsored terrorism, including intercepted audio recordings allegedly showing Indian army officers operating terror networks.[3]
India did not issue any immediate official response to the attack or to Pakistan's allegations of involvement.[11] International organizations and foreign governments also remained largely silent on the incident.[1]
See also
[edit]- Insurgency in Balochistan
- Baloch Liberation Army
- 2025 India–Pakistan conflict
- Operation Azm-e-Istehkam
- Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2025
- List of terrorist incidents in Pakistan
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Roadside bomb targeting security vehicle kills 7 soldiers in southwest Pakistan". The Washington Post. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Seven soldiers killed as separatists attack security vehicle in southwest Pakistan". Arab News. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Pakistan blames India after seven soldiers killed in Balochistan blast". Al Jazeera. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Pakistani security officers killed in blast claimed by Baloch separatists". Al Jazeera. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Seven soldiers martyred in Balochistan IED attack: ISPR". The Express Tribune. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d "7 soldiers martyred in terror attack by 'Indian proxy'". The Express Tribune. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d "On 6 May 2025, Terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, so called 'Baloch Liberation Army' targeted Security Forces' vehicle with an improvised explosive device in general area Mach, Kachhi District". GlobalSecurity.org. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Roadside bomb targeting security vehicle kills 7 soldiers in southwest Pakistan". Associated Press. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "14 Pakistani soldiers killed in twin attacks in Balochistan, BLA claims responsibility". India TV. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Suicide bomber kills five on school bus in Pakistan's Balochistan". Reuters. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Roadside bomb targeting security vehicle kills 7 soldiers in southwest Pakistan". ABC News. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.