Coordinated Militant Assaults Rock Pakistan’s Balochistan; Heavy Casualties Reported
Quetta: Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province witnessed a wave of coordinated militant violence as armed rebels launched attacks across five districts, leaving dozens dead, including security personnel, officials confirmed on Saturday.
According to local security sources, at least 10 members of Pakistan’s security forces lost their lives during the assaults, while 37 militants were killed in subsequent counter-operations. The attacks reportedly involved the use of firearms and suicide bombings, indicating a high level of planning and coordination.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist insurgent group active in the region, has been identified as being behind the strikes. The militants simultaneously targeted multiple locations, aiming to overwhelm security responses and create widespread disruption.
Security forces launched immediate retaliatory actions, leading to intense gunfights in several areas. Authorities stated that the situation has since been brought under control, though security has been tightened and search operations are ongoing.
Balochistan has long been plagued by insurgency, with rebel groups frequently targeting security forces and state installations, citing grievances over political marginalisation and control over the province’s natural resources.
Officials said further details are awaited as investigations continue and damage assessments are carried out.
