A suicide bomber detonated explosives at the main entrance of the Frontier Corps Headquarters in Nokundi, Chagai district, on Sunday evening, sparking a major assault on Pakistani forces.
Armed attackers stormed the camp immediately after the blast, according to reports from The Balochistan Post.
Gunfire and explosions echoed for more than an hour as clashes raged inside the facility. Officials confirmed fighting remained ongoing but did not release casualty figures.
Chagai district hosts the Reko Diq copper-and-gold deposits, considered among the world’s largest undeveloped reserves and central to Pakistan’s mining and investment strategies.
The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) later claimed responsibility. The group stated that a sub-unit executed a “heavy attack” on what it described as a compound used by foreign personnel linked to the Reko Diq and Saindak mining projects. BLF said the operation was still underway and promised a detailed statement once completed. Pakistani authorities have not yet responded to the claim.
The incident followed a surge of armed actions across Balochistan in the past 24 hours. Militant groups targeted Pakistani forces with IED explosions, ambushes, and assaults on checkpoints in several districts. Despite tightened security measures, the attacks demonstrated that Baloch armed groups retain the ability to strike at will.
Reports noted that internet services, transport routes, and several urban centres had been shut down in recent days to prevent attacks. Armed groups nevertheless carried out operations across multiple regions, underscoring the persistence of the insurgency.
The Nokundi suicide attack highlights the continuing volatility in Balochistan and raises concerns about the security of strategic mining projects in the region.
