Balochistan attacks erupted across multiple districts of Pakistan’s southwestern province on Saturday, leaving more than 120 people dead after separatist militants launched coordinated assaults on security forces, civilians, and government targets. Pakistani authorities said the military responded rapidly, killing at least 92 militants, including suicide bombers, and preventing the attackers from seizing control of any major city or installation. The violence underscores the persistent security challenges in the country’s largest yet poorest province, which has faced a long-running insurgency.
According to the Pakistani military, at least 33 people were killed in the attacks, including 15 security personnel and 18 civilians. Officials said the remaining fatalities were militants neutralized during counterterrorism operations carried out in the aftermath of the assaults.
Coordinated militant assaults across multiple districts
The attacks were reported in several districts, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Panjgur, Tump and Pasni. The coordinated nature of the violence disrupted daily life across the province, with authorities blocking roads, suspending train services, and restricting mobile phone networks as security forces conducted clearance operations.
Military officials said the assaults collapsed quickly under pressure from security forces, who launched immediate countermeasures to contain the situation and eliminate the attackers.
Also read: China Executes Ming Family Members Linked to Myanmar Scam Networks
Civilian casualties and emergency response
In the coastal city of Gwadar, militants targeted a camp housing migrant workers, killing 11 civilians, including women and children, according to police. Security forces later killed six militants in the area during follow-up operations.
Hospitals in affected districts were placed on emergency alert as injured civilians and security personnel were rushed in for treatment. Local administrations coordinated with medical facilities to manage the influx of casualties amid ongoing security operations.
Jail break and abductions reported
Officials said militants also stormed a district jail, freeing at least 30 inmates and seizing weapons and ammunition. In a separate incident, attackers abducted a senior civil administrator, further highlighting the scale and coordination of the violence.
Security agencies said efforts were underway to track down escapees and recover stolen arms as operations continued across the province.
BLA claims responsibility, government rejects territorial gains
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating it carried out simultaneous strikes targeting military, police, and government installations throughout Balochistan. The Pakistani military rejected the group’s claims of capturing territory, insisting that no city or key installation fell into militant hands.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for their swift response and vowed to continue Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. The military also alleged that the militants were supported from outside the country, an accusation that has been denied by India.
Long-running insurgency in resource-rich Balochistan
Balochistan, despite being rich in natural resources, remains Pakistan’s most underdeveloped province and has endured a decades-long separatist insurgency. Militants have repeatedly targeted security forces, civilians, and infrastructure projects, citing grievances over political marginalization and resource distribution.
Saturday’s violence marks one of the deadliest flare-ups in recent years, reinforcing concerns about stability and security in the strategically important region.