Security Forces Act Swiftly After Deadly Attacks
Pakistan’s security forces launched rapid counter-operations after coordinated militant attacks killed over 120 people across Balochistan on Saturday. The military said troops killed 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, during clearance operations. Among the remaining dead were 33 people, including 15 security personnel and 18 civilians. Officials said the attackers failed to hold ground as security forces responded within hours, preventing further escalation.
Multiple Districts Hit, Daily Life Comes to a Halt
The attacks hit Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Panjgur, Tump and Pasni, triggering widespread disruption across the province. Authorities blocked key roads, suspended mobile networks and halted train services as security operations continued. In Gwadar, militants attacked a camp housing migrant workers and killed 11 civilians, including women and children, police said. Security forces later killed six attackers in the area. Hospitals across affected districts declared emergencies to treat the injured and manage the surge of patients.
Jail Attack, Abductions and BLA Claim
Officials said militants stormed a district jail and freed at least 30 inmates before fleeing with weapons and ammunition. In another district, attackers abducted a senior civil administrator, raising concerns over targeted assaults on government officials. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility and said it carried out simultaneous attacks on military, police and government installations. The Pakistani military rejected claims of territorial control and said forces prevented militants from capturing any city or strategic facility.
Government Reaffirms Anti-Terror Stance
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the armed forces for stopping the attacks and vowed to continue the fight against terrorism. The military alleged that the militants received external support, an accusation India denied. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency driven by political grievances, economic neglect and disputes over natural resources. Security officials said operations would continue until stability returns and civilian movement fully resumes across the region.
