An attempted attack on the Gwadar port complex in Pakistan's Baluchistan province was thwarted by the country's police and security personnel on Wednesday (March 20), resulting in the deaths of eight militants, as reported by The Dawn.

The assailants, identified as members of the Baluch Liberation Army (BLA), a pro-independence armed group in Baluchistan, attempted to breach the port complex. However, their efforts were met with swift and decisive resistance from security forces. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, all eight militants were shot dead.

The Majeed Brigade, the military wing of the BLA, claimed responsibility for the attack, escalating tensions in the restive region. Tragically, a member of the country's military also lost their life in the crossfire, underscoring the grave risks faced by security personnel in combating terrorism.

The attack comes amidst a surge in terrorist incidents across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, following the breakdown of a ceasefire between the Pakistani government and the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban in November 2022.

According to a security report by the Center for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan has witnessed 97 terrorist attacks since February this year, resulting in the deaths of 87 individuals and injuries to 118 others. The alarming spike in violence underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and concerted efforts to combat terrorism in the country.