Pakistan is once again reeling from a devastating terrorist attack as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched a massive assault on PNS Siddiq, the country's second-largest airbase. The armed wing of the BLA, known as the Majid Brigade, has claimed responsibility for the attack, heightening tensions in the region.

According to reports from the Indian media outlet Hindustan Times, the Tarbet area witnessed a significant military presence immediately following the attack. Helicopters were spotted patrolling the skies as heavy gunfire and explosions echoed for over three hours. As of now, casualties have not been confirmed.

Late Monday night, Tarbet, one of Pakistan's major naval bases, was rocked by explosions as at least four military helicopters and three drones were reportedly destroyed in continuous blasts at the airport. Pakistani security forces engaged in a fierce gun battle with the attackers, lasting for hours.

Security guards thwarted members of the Majid Brigade from infiltrating the airport, sparking a deadly exchange of gunfire. The attackers resorted to throwing grenades, causing helicopters on the premises to catch fire.

Initial reports suggest that four Baloch insurgents were killed in the firefight, while unconfirmed reports claim the deaths of at least 12 Pakistani soldiers. Modern weapons, including hand grenades, were allegedly recovered from the attackers.

This attack follows closely on the heels of a suicide bombing in the port city of Gwadar on March 20, which claimed over 20 lives. The BLA also claimed responsibility for that attack, further exacerbating tensions between the Pakistani government and the people of Balochistan.

The longstanding dispute stems from Balochistan's assertion of independence before its forced incorporation into Pakistan in 1948. Baloch nationalists accuse the government of Islamabad of exploiting the province's abundant resources, particularly with the advent of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The construction of the China-funded Gwadar port has intensified these grievances, with Baloch separatist groups alleging collusion between Islamabad and Beijing in the exploitation of Balochistan's natural wealth. The BLA's recent attacks underscore the deep-seated unrest in the region, posing significant challenges to Pakistan's security and stability.