Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, is largely mountainous and home to the ethnic Baloch minority
Digital Desk: The Pakistani security forces killed around two dozen militants overnight in multiple raids across the insurgency-hit southwestern province of Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan. This brings the total number of militants killed to 177 over the past 48 hours, following a wave of coordinated insurgent attacks that left at least 33 people dead.
Police, backed by the military, have been carrying out raids in several areas targeting members of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The operations began after nearly 200 militants, operating in small groups, launched simultaneous suicide bombings and gun attacks on police stations, civilian homes, and security installations across the province.
Analysts say the scale of militant casualties over the past two days is the highest recorded in decades.
The weekend attacks, claimed by the BLA, killed at least 18 civilians and 15 security personnel. The violence drew widespread condemnation from political leaders across Pakistan, including members of the party led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
On Monday,2nd February , Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for killing an additional 22 insurgents. He described those killed as “Indian-backed terrorists,” though he provided no evidence to support the claim. There was no immediate response from New Delhi.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, is largely mountainous and home to the ethnic Baloch minority. Many Baloch residents allege discrimination and exploitation by the central government, grievances that have fuelled a long-running separatist insurgency. Islamic militant groups are also active in the region.
While authorities said normalcy has largely returned to the province, train services between Balochistan and the rest of Pakistan remained suspended for a third consecutive day due to security concerns.
The suspension follows a major attack on the Jaffar Express, in which BLA militants killed 31 people and took hundreds of passengers hostage. Security forces later launched a rescue operation, killing all 33 attackers and freeing the hostages.
The Baloch Liberation Army, which is banned in Pakistan, has carried out numerous attacks in recent years, frequently targeting security forces, Chinese interests, and infrastructure projects. Authorities allege the group operates with support from the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers.
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