A group of armed fighters attacked Pakistan’s Gwadar port on March 20. Pakistani security forces fought for two hours and killed all the attackers, according to local authorities. 

Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Sarfraz Bugti, said in a message on X: ”Eight terrorists tried to attack the Gwadar Port Authority complex. All of them have been neutralised by security forces. The message is loud & clear. Whosoever chooses to use violence will see no mercy from the state. Kudos to all law enforcement bravehearts who fought bravely today for Pakistan”.

Saeed Ahmed Umrani, a senior government official, also confirmed that the port complex was attacked, and said the security forces were engaged in nearly two hours of fighting with the attackers.

Qatari news network Al Jazeera reported that the attack was claimed by Majeed Brigade, the armed wing of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group that demands secession of the province from Pakistan.

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s in a press conference on March 21 condemned the attack on Pakistan’s Gwadar port, which features prominently in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan.

“We noted the reports. We strongly condemn the terrorist attack and mourn for the Pakistani personnel killed in the attack,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing.

“China is against all forms of terrorism and firmly supports national development and social stability in Pakistan. We firmly support Pakistan’s efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security and stability,” he added.