Balochistan under attack: inside the recent wave of violence

WEB DESK: Balochistan has been gripped by an intense wave of violence after coordinated terrorist attacks struck multiple districts across the province, prompting large-scale counterterrorism operations by security forces.

The attacks began early Saturday and targeted at least 12 locations, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Noshki, Kalat, Pasni, Panjgur, and Kharan. According to security officials, the assaults were carried out by militants linked to banned separatist groups, with the aim of spreading fear and destabilising the province.

Pakistan’s military said intelligence assessments indicate the attacks were planned and directed from outside the country, with handlers maintaining real-time contact with attackers. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the militants targeted civilians, security installations, and government infrastructure to disrupt daily life and development in Balochistan.

The provincial capital Quetta was among the hardest hit, where militants attacked police stations, checkpoints, the Police Training Centre, and sensitive Red Zone areas. Several police vehicles were torched, and a bank was set on fire, forcing temporary shutdowns in parts of the city.

Elsewhere, violence was reported in coastal and interior districts. In Gwadar, a labourer family was targeted in a deadly attack, while clashes and attempted assaults on security installations were reported in Pasni, Mastung, and Kalat. In Kharan, an attack on a tribal leader’s residence proved particularly deadly.

Security forces responded swiftly, launching intelligence-based operations across the province to prevent further attacks and regain control of affected areas.

OPERATIONS CONCLUDE AS SECURITY FORCES RESTORE CONTROL

As of Sunday afternoon, security forces have completed counterterrorism operations across multiple areas of Balochistan following the coordinated attacks, killing over 140 militants over two days, according to security sources.

Officials said the operations were launched after militants linked to Fitna-ul-Hindustan carried out attacks at 12 locations. Timely action by security forces and law enforcement agencies ensured that all major assaults were foiled.

According to security officials, 92 militants were killed in the initial phase, while 41 more were neutralised in follow-up operations, bringing the total militant death toll to 133. During the operations, 15 security and police personnel were martyred, while 18 civilians lost their lives.

Among the civilian victims were five members of a Baloch labourer family from Khuzdar, who were killed in Gwadar.

Authorities said operations were conducted across several districts and have now concluded, though intelligence-based measures remain in place. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further attacks and ensure stability across the province.

CM BUGTI CONDEMNS ATTACKS, VOWS RELENTLESS ACTION

On Sunday, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, held a press conference in Quetta. He expressed deep sympathy with the families of those martyred in the attacks, reiterating that the state stands firmly with the heirs of the victims.

Addressing the media, Bugti said 145 terrorists were killed within 40 hours during intelligence-led operations across Balochistan, adding that the bodies of the militants are in state custody. He praised security forces for their swift response, saying their actions prevented multiple large-scale attacks.

The chief minister strongly condemned the killing of five women and three children in Gwadar and the loss of lives in Quetta. “It is our responsibility to take care of the children of the martyrs. The blood of our youth is not cheap,” he said, vowing that all those involved would be brought to justice.

Bugti said intelligence agencies had prior information about planned attacks and that operations were conducted carefully to avoid civilian casualties. “Terrorists will not be allowed to take even an inch of our land,” he said.

He revealed that more than 1,500 terrorists have been killed in operations over the past year, adding that clearance operations remain ongoing. Rejecting claims linking violence to deprivation, Bugti said governance in Balochistan is improving and that youth are getting jobs on merit.

 “This is a war between right and wrong,” he said. “We will fight terrorism and we will never surrender.”