Seven Pakistan Army personnel were martyred on Tuesday after their vehicle was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly by militants belonging to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

The attack took place in the Mach area of Balochistan’s Kachhi district by the outlawed group alleged to be an Indian proxy, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

According to the military’s media wing, the targeted attack was carried out by terrorists attempting to disrupt peace and stability in the region. The blast claimed the lives of seven soldiers, who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.

The martyred personnel include:

Subedar Umar Farooq (42), resident of Karachi
Naik Asif Khan (28), resident of District Karak
Naik Mashkoor Ali (28), resident of District Orakzai
Sepoy Tariq Nawaz (26), resident of District Lakki Marwat
Sepoy Wajid Ahmed Faiz (28), resident of District Bagh
Sepoy Muhammad Asim (22), resident of District Karak
Sepoy Muhammad Kashif Khan (28), resident of District Kohat

Following the attack, Pakistan Army launched a sanitization operation in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorist elements and ensure peace in the region. “The perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice,” the ISPR affirmed.

The statement also reiterated that the security forces, along with the entire nation, remained determined to "thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan".

“Nefarious designs of India and its proxies operating on Pakistani soil will be defeated by the valiant security forces, LEAs and the brave nation of Pakistan,” the ISPR added. “Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers only strengthen our collective resolve,” the military said.