Coordinated Assaults Rock Balochistan: Pakistan Hunts Separatists After Deadly Two-Day Siege

QUETTA, Pakistan — Pakistani security forces are scouring the restive province of Balochistan for perpetrators of a major, coordinated militant offensive that killed more than 190 people over two days, in one of the boldest challenges to state authority in recent years.

The government has vowed a forceful retaliation after militants on Saturday stormed a series of high-profile targets—including military installations, police stations, banks, and prisons—across multiple districts. Provincial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed, while security forces reported eliminating at least 145 attackers.

By Sunday, officials declared all attacked districts "cleared," but a tense calm held over the provincial capital, Quetta. Major roads lay deserted, businesses were shuttered, and shattered metal and mangled vehicles littered some streets. Mobile internet services remained suspended for over 24 hours, with road and rail traffic severely disrupted.

"Anyone who leaves home has no certainty of returning safe and sound. There is constant fear," said Hamdullah, a 39-year-old shopkeeper in Quetta, capturing the pervasive anxiety.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the region's most active separatist group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, claimed responsibility. In a statement to AFP, the group said it targeted military and civil administration sites through gun attacks and suicide bombings.

Analysts noted the audacious scale and timing of the assaults. "It was one of the most audacious attacks in the region in recent years, as unlike other attacks, it took place in broad daylight," said Abdul Basit, a security analyst at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "It is alarming that militants, with coordinated manpower and strategic acumen, have now reached the provincial capital."

The attacks have ignited a fierce war of words with neighboring India. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleged, without presenting evidence, that the attackers had links to India—a claim swiftly rejected by New Delhi as "baseless allegations."

■ Background & Escalation
The violence caps decades of simmering insurgency in Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but poorest province, rich in minerals and natural gas. Separatists accuse the central government of exploiting the region's resources while leaving its population marginalized. The BLA has increasingly targeted non-local Pakistanis and foreign interests in recent years.

Saturday's offensive came a day after the military said it killed 41 insurgents in separate operations. The BLA released videos showing its fighters, including women, on motorcycles during the assaults. In one disturbing clip, the group claimed to have abducted a senior official from Nushki district, though they later stated he had been released.

■ Voices from the Ground
"Our blood is not that cheap. We will chase them until their hideouts," vowed Chief Minister Bugti, echoing the government's hardened stance.

Yet, for residents, the cycle of violence underscores a deeper despair. "They continue to showcase women strategically in high-visibility attacks," noted analyst Basit, pointing to the group's evolving tactics. Defence Minister Asif confirmed at least one of the suicide bombers was a young woman.

■ Expert & Public Reaction

"This isn't just another militant strike; it's a direct assault on the state's legitimacy in Balochistan. The coordination and brazenness suggest a new level of capability. The government's response must be precise, not just heavy-handed, to avoid further alienating the local population."
— Dr. Ayesha Khan, Political Analyst at Islamabad Policy Institute

"Enough is enough! How many more civilians have to die while politicians point fingers at India? This is a homegrown failure of security and governance. We've poured resources into this province for decades with nothing to show but more violence and resentment."
— Raza Malik, Businessman & Commentator (Karachi)

"The immediate priority is restoring a sense of safety for people here. The communication blackout, while perhaps necessary for operations, also fuels rumor and fear. There needs to be a clear, credible channel for information."
— Sarah Ahmed, Human Rights Advocate (Quetta)

"These attacks will harden positions on all sides. The BLA is demonstrating it can strike at will, even in the heart of Quetta. This doesn't look like a group seeking negotiations; it looks like one trying to provoke an overwhelming response to rally more support."
— David Chen, Senior Fellow, South Asia Security Studies

The crisis throws into sharp relief the intractable challenges facing Balochistan, a region where grievances over political autonomy, resource distribution, and development continue to fuel a deadly conflict with no end in sight.