Gwadar landmine blast claims 2 Pak coastguards

Could be the work of Baloch separatists in the area where the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would end.

At least two Pakistani coastguards were killed and three others injured on Saturday when their vehicle hit a landmine in the strategically important Gwadar area in the restive Balochistan province.

The Coastguard personnel’s vehicle hit the landmine in the Kaldan area of Gwadar, where the multi-billion dollars China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would end.

3 other personnel seriously hurt

Five personnel were seriously injured in the explosion near the Iran border and two of them later died in the hospital, a security official said.

The vehicle in which the coastguards were travelling was badly damaged in the blast.

The security forces launched search operation in the areas after the explosion but no arrests had been made.

Could be Baloch attack

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but Baloch separatists often target security forces in the area.

The separatists want greater control over the resources which are in abundance in the province.

The strategically-important Gwadar port is being developed under the ambitious $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The project would link China’s western city of Kashgar to the Pakistani port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea.

The project would pass through PoK and has been strongly opposed by India.