8 Pak soldiers killed in Balochistan blast

An IED blast by the Baloch Liberation Army in Mach-Kachhi district killed eight Pakistani soldiers, including a special ops commander. The BLA claimed responsibility, while Pakistan’s military blamed Indian proxies. The attack follows recent BLA violence. Amid rising tensions with India, Pakistan plans an 18 per cent defence budget hike to over Rs 2.5 trillion for 2025–26.