An attack by the Baloch Liberation Army led to the martyrdom of seven soldiers of the Pakistan Army in Balochistan on Tuesday.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, BLA targeted a security forces vehicle using an improvised explosive device in Mach, Kacchi district. In a first, ISPR referred to BLA as an Indian proxy.

As a result of the attack, seven soldiers were martyred. ISPR identified the soldiers as Subedar Umar Farooq (age 42 years; resident of Karachi), Naik Asif Khan (age 28 years; resident of District Karak), Naik Mashkoor Ali (age 28 years; resident of District Orakzai), Sepoy Tariq Nawaz (age 26 years; resident of District Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Wajid Ahmed Faiz (age 28 years; resident of District Bagh), Sepoy Muhammad Asim (age 22 years; resident of District Karak) and Sepoy Muhammad Kashif Khan (age 28 years; resident of District Kohat).

“Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorist present in the area, and perpetrators of this henious and cowardly act will be brought to justice,” ISPR said.

ISPR said that the attack was an attempt to sabotage the progress and stability of Balochistan. The statement added that ‘nefarious designs of India and its proxies’ will be defeated by the nation.