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Pakistan’s security forces have stepped up operations against separatist militants in Balochistan after coordinated attacks across the province killed at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel, officials said.
The assaults began before dawn on Saturday, when armed groups targeted military bases, police stations, banks, roads and railway lines in more than 10 cities. Suicide attacks were also carried out in Quetta, the provincial capital, and near the strategic port city of Gwadar.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said security forces killed 145 militants within 40 hours of the attacks and that their bodies were in official custody. Pakistan’s defence minister said the situation had been brought under control and that security forces were continuing search operations.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating it had killed dozens of security personnel and taken hostages. Pakistani authorities have not confirmed these claims.
Residents in several districts reported heavy fighting, while mobile internet services were suspended in Quetta, Gwadar and other affected areas. In Mastung, police said militants briefly overran a prison and freed several inmates.
Pakistan’s interior minister accused India of backing the militants, a charge denied by New Delhi. Islamabad has also blamed militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan, which Kabul has rejected.
Analysts described the attacks as unprecedented in scale and coordination, raising questions about official claims that the long-running insurgency in Balochistan had been contained.
