China Halts Work at Gwadar Port After Coordinated Attacks by Baloch Militants; Pakistani Army Launches 20 Drone Strikes

Gwadar, Balochistan: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) carried out highly coordinated attacks on Chinese infrastructure and security installations across Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan. The attacks reportedly inflicted significant losses on Pakistani security forces.

In response, the Pakistani Army conducted at least 20 drone strikes targeting areas in Killi Jamaldini, Noshki district. Reports indicate that these strikes resulted in casualties among civilians, including women and children. According to the Balochistan Post, the drone operations began overnight following the BLA’s assault on over a dozen towns this week, during which the group claimed to have killed more than 200 Pakistani soldiers.

China Suspends Operations at Gwadar Port
Fearing further attacks, China has temporarily halted all ground operations at the strategic Gwadar Port and recalled its personnel. The move represents a significant setback for Pakistan, as China has invested billions of dollars in Balochistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), projects that have long faced resistance from Baloch separatists. Analysts describe the recent attacks as the most destructive and coordinated in decades.

According to CNN-News18, senior security and diplomatic sources confirmed that all Chinese ground staff in Gwadar were evacuated via special flights, bringing on-site activities to a complete halt. Previously, China had already limited its on-ground presence to a few engineers and technicians. Now, all operations have been temporarily suspended while security is reassessed.

A senior official from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad told CNN-News18, “This is a precautionary and temporary measure. Security arrangements across Balochistan, especially in Gwadar, are being thoroughly reviewed.” Despite the withdrawal of Chinese personnel, Pakistani support staff will continue handling ground-level tasks related to Chinese-funded projects, while Chinese teams monitor the situation remotely.

Impact on CPEC Projects
The BLA’s attacks have raised new concerns about the safety of foreign nationals involved in CPEC projects. A senior Chinese source emphasized that the suspension does not indicate a retreat from Gwadar or CPEC investments. Operations will resume once enhanced security protocols are in place and the safety of personnel is assured.