Pakistani security forces said they have killed 145 militants in a 40-hour counter-terrorism operation following a wave of coordinated attacks across the southwestern province of Balochistan, provincial officials and military sources confirmed. The operations came after militants launched brazen assaults on security installations and civilian areas over the weekend, marking one of the deadliest flare-ups in the region in years.
The militant offensive, claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), began with coordinated suicide bombings and gun attacks at multiple locations, including the provincial capital Quetta, as well as Gwadar, Mastung, Nushki and other districts. Militants targeted police stations, paramilitary posts, a high-security prison and public spaces, using firearms and explosives in what officials described as a planned and synchronized assault.
Authorities reported that the attacks killed at least 33 civilians and security personnel, including women and children, and that militants also used civilians as human shields during some confrontations. Security forces responded swiftly, launching clearance operations involving the army, police and counter-terrorism units to regain control of affected areas and prevent further advances by the insurgents.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the number of militants killed, 145, was the highest in such a short period since the insurgency intensified. He claimed that many of those killed were affiliated with the BLA and described them as “Indian-backed terrorists,” though India has denied involvement. Bugti said some of the slain militants were Afghan nationals and that authorities had reliable intelligence of the plot before it unfolded.
The Pakistani military’s media wing reiterated that security forces had thwarted attempts by insurgents to seize strategic installations or control urban centers. Officials condemned the attacks as an effort to destabilize the province, which has been beset by a decades-long separatist insurgency. The U.S. and several other countries issued statements condemning the violence and reiterated support for Pakistan in combating terrorism.
In response to the violence, authorities have tightened security measures in major towns and cities across Balochistan, placed hospitals on high alert and restricted movement in some areas as operations continue. The scale and coordination of the attacks have raised concerns about the potential for further escalations unless political and security challenges in the resource-rich province are addressed.
Originally Published By: Reuters, AP News and The Guardian.
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