Pakistan claims killing of 145 militants after deadly attacks in Balochistan

Quetta (Pakistan): Pakistan on Sunday announced that its security forces have killed at least 145 militants in a massive counter-terror operation in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, following a series of coordinated terror attacks that left dozens dead.

According to government officials, joint operations were carried out by the army, police and paramilitary forces across different parts of Balochistan over the last 40 hours. Authorities described it as one of the largest anti-terror actions in recent decades, claiming an unprecedented number of militants were eliminated in a short span of time.

The crackdown came in response to suicide bombings and gun attacks carried out on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of 33 people. Among the victims were 18 civilians – including five women and three children – and 15 security personnel. Several others were injured in the coordinated assaults that targeted public places and government installations.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed the operation and said that the militants belonged to a group referred to by the government as “Fitna al-Hindustan,” a term Pakistan uses for the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). He claimed that the attackers had planned to storm Quetta’s city centre, attack government offices and abduct officials.

“Our security forces acted swiftly and neutralised their plan. A total of 145 terrorists have been killed and their bodies are in our custody. Some of them are believed to be Afghan nationals,” Bugti told reporters.

He further alleged, without providing evidence, that the militants were supported by India and operating from Afghan territory. “These Indian-backed terrorists tried to destabilise Pakistan. Their handlers wanted to collect the bodies but did not dare to enter the city,” he claimed.

India, however, strongly rejected the allegations. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs termed Pakistan’s claims as “baseless and fabricated,” saying Islamabad was attempting to divert global attention from its internal security failures. Afghanistan has also denied any involvement in the violence.

Bugti accused Afghanistan of allowing its soil to be used against Pakistan in violation of the 2020 Doha Agreement. “Unfortunately, Afghan territory is being used to launch attacks on Pakistan,” he alleged.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has long been plagued by insurgency. Ethnic Baloch separatist groups have been fighting for greater autonomy and a larger share of the region’s rich natural resources. The BLA and allied groups have frequently targeted security forces and infrastructure projects, particularly those linked to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Meanwhile, the rebel group claimed responsibility for the recent attacks and stated that it had killed 84 Pakistani security personnel and captured 18 others, figures that have not been independently verified.

The latest violence has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in Balochistan, raising concerns about further escalation in the coming days.