A series of coordinated gun and bomb attacks across Pakistan’s Balochistan province have resulted in significant casualties, with the military reporting 33 civilians and security forces killed and over 90 attackers neutralized. This escalation represents one of the deadliest single days of violence in the region’s decades-long insurgency.
The attacks began almost simultaneously on Saturday, targeting multiple locations including the provincial capital Quetta and other towns. Insurgents launched grenade and gun assaults on police vehicles, paramilitary installations, a high-security prison, and government buildings. In Mastung district, dozens of attackers stormed a prison, freeing more than 30 inmates, while in Nushki, an attempt to raid paramilitary headquarters was repelled. Across the province, 12 cities and towns were affected, with reports of banks being robbed and vehicles set ablaze.
Casualty figures released by the Pakistani military indicate that 18 civilians and 15 security personnel lost their lives in the assaults. In response, security forces engaged the attackers, killing at least 92 insurgents. Authorities declared an emergency at all hospitals to handle the wounded, and the provincial health minister confirmed that two police officers were among those killed in a grenade attack in Quetta. The coordinated nature of the attacks suggests a high level of planning by the perpetrators.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an outlawed separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The group released propaganda videos showing female fighters participating, highlighting efforts to showcase gender inclusion within their ranks. The BLA has long accused the Pakistani government of exploiting Balochistan’s rich mineral resources without benefiting the local population, a grievance that fuels the insurgency. Pakistan designates the BLA as a terrorist organization, and the United States also lists it as such.
Pakistan’s military and interior minister accused India of backing the BLA, alleging external support for the attacks. New Delhi has repeatedly denied such accusations in the past, and there was no immediate response to the latest claims. This accusation adds to the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with Pakistan frequently alleging Indian involvement in destabilizing activities within its borders.
The attacks caused widespread disruption across Balochistan. Authorities sealed off key roads in Quetta, jammed mobile phone services to prevent further coordination by militants, and suspended regional train services after insurgents destroyed rail tracks. The provincial chief minister stated that security forces are actively chasing the insurgents, and over the past year, hundreds have been killed in similar operations.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has been the site of a persistent insurgency since 1948, when resistance began against the central government. The region, rich in natural gas and minerals, is home to the Baloch ethnic group, which has long sought greater autonomy or independence. Local activists accuse Pakistani security forces of human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, which Islamabad denies. The province’s strategic location, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, adds to its geopolitical significance.
Analysts describe the recent attacks as the deadliest day for militants in decades, indicating a surge in militancy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the military’s response and pledged to continue the war against terrorism until its complete eradication. With separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban intensifying attacks in recent months, the situation in Balochistan remains volatile, posing ongoing challenges for Pakistan’s security and stability.
