Pakistani security forces have successfully neutralized 145 militants following a 40-hour battle, responding to a series of coordinated gun and bomb attacks that resulted in nearly 50 casualties in Balochistan, as announced by the province’s chief minister on Sunday. The southwestern province is currently grappling with one of the most severe escalations in years, as insurgents in the strategically important region bordering Iran and Afghanistan have intensified their assaults on security forces, civilians, and critical infrastructure.
Disguised as ordinary civilians, the attackers infiltrated hospitals, schools, banks, and markets on Saturday, indiscriminately targeting civilians while using them as human shields, reported Pakistan’s junior interior minister, Talal Chaudhry. The outlawed separatist group Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attacks, describing the coordinated operation as “Herof,” or “black storm,” aimed at security forces across the province.
In Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, the aftermath of the attacks was evident in burnt-out vehicles, bullet-riddled structures, and cordoned-off streets as security forces intensified their presence and restricted movement post the incidents. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti disclosed that the attacks resulted in the loss of 17 law enforcement personnel and 31 civilians. According to Pakistan’s military, 92 militants were eliminated on Saturday, with an additional 41 casualties on Friday.
Balochistan’s chief minister emphasized that pre-emptive operations were launched based on intelligence reports indicating the looming threat. The recent toll of 145 militants eradicated during the short span of the insurgency surge marks a significant escalation, although comparative figures were not disclosed.
The militant offensives targeted various districts, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki, with armed assailants attacking security installations, attempting suicide bombings, and disrupting urban traffic flow. This prompted extensive counter-operations by the army, police, and counterterrorism units to restore order and safeguard civilian lives.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and economically disadvantaged province, has been plagued by a protracted insurgency led by ethnic Baloch separatists striving for greater autonomy and resource rights. The Baloch Liberation Army’s claim of eliminating 84 security personnel and capturing 18 others remains unverified, as Reuters sought confirmation from the military, which has yet to respond to the assertion.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif noted the involvement of female perpetrators in two of the attacks, highlighting a concerning trend where militants increasingly target vulnerable groups such as civilians, laborers, and impoverished communities. Security forces successfully thwarted attempts by militants to seize control of significant urban centers or key installations.
Allegations of the attacks being orchestrated by “Indian-sponsored militants” were refuted by Pakistan’s military, sparking a denial from India and accusations of Islamabad deflecting internal issues. The United States condemned the violent acts as terrorism, expressing solidarity with Pakistan, while designating the Balochistan Liberation Army as a foreign terrorist organization.
Pakistan has endured sporadic assaults by Islamist militant factions, including those affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, underscoring the persistent security challenges faced across the nation.