8 killed in the firefight: Pakistani port under attack by militant gunmen

Pakistan's Gwadar port came under attack as unidentified gunmen targeted the port authority complex in Balochistan province on Wednesday. Militant group Balochistan Liberation Army, has claimed responsibility for the assault.

The attackers reportedly initiated the assault with explosions before engaging in gunfire with security personnel. Security forces retaliated, resulting in the death of two attackers during the exchange of fire.

Gwadar port, a crucial component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been a focal point of significant investment from China under its Belt and Road Initiative.

Despite a longstanding separatist insurgency in Balochistan, China has continued its heavy investment in the region particularly in the development of Gwadar.

The development of Gwadar port has been met with skepticism and resistance from locals who perceive it as an exploitation of their resources.

This sentiment has fueled the emergence of various ethnic-separatist and radical religious terrorist organizations, including the Balochistan Liberation Front, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and others.

These groups have actively targeted CPEC projects, posing a significant internal security threat by launching direct attacks on infrastructure and foreign investors, particularly targeting Chinese nationals and workers involved in Gwadar's development.