Pakistan Claims Major Counterterrorism Success in Balochistan, Accuses India of Backing Militants
QUETTA, Pakistan — In a significant escalation of its counterterrorism campaign, Pakistan announced Sunday that its security forces had neutralized 145 militants in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The large-scale operations, which authorities described as the most decisive in decades, were launched in direct response to a wave of suicide bombings and gun assaults that killed 33 people, predominantly civilians, just a day earlier.
The violence, which erupted across multiple locations on Saturday, also resulted in the deaths of 18 civilians—among them five women and three children—and 15 security personnel, according to official statements.
Provincial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, addressing a press conference in Quetta flanked by senior security official Hamza Shafqat, stated that the swift military and police response had targeted members of "Fitna al-Hindustan," a term used by Islamabad to refer to the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which it alleges receives direct support from Indian intelligence. "The bodies of these 145 killed terrorists are in our custody," Bugti asserted, adding that some of the slain were Afghan nationals. He claimed the militants' objective to take hostages in the city center was thwarted by prepared security forces.
The attacks struck a region critical to Pakistan's economic ambitions. Balochistan, rich in mineral resources, is central to efforts to attract foreign investment, notably a landmark $500 million agreement with a U.S. metals company signed last year. The instability poses a direct challenge to these development plans.
Residents recounted scenes of terror. "It was a very scary day in the history of Quetta," said local shopkeeper Khan Muhammad. "Armed men were roaming openly on the roads before security forces arrived."
Bugti leveled sharp accusations against both India and Afghanistan, claiming senior BLA leadership operates from Afghan soil—a violation, he said, of the Taliban's commitments under the 2020 Doha agreement. Both Kabul and New Delhi have consistently rejected such allegations. The accusations come amid already heightened tensions; earlier this month, Pakistan conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting alleged Pakistani Taliban hideouts.
The BLA, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks. The group, which seeks greater autonomy or independence for Balochistan, has a history of targeting Pakistani security forces, Chinese nationals, and infrastructure projects.
/// USER COMMENTARY ///
"This is a necessary and robust response. For too long, external actors have exploited our sovereign territory. The sheer scale of this operation sends a clear message: Pakistan's security forces will not tolerate terrorism, whether homegrown or externally sponsored." — Maj. (Ret.) Haris Raza, security analyst based in Islamabad.
"The civilian death toll is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Five women and three children slaughtered in their home? While the state focuses on body counts and geopolitical blame games, ordinary Baloch families are paying the ultimate price. When will their security be the priority?" — Alina Shah, human rights advocate from Karachi. [EMOTIONAL/CRITICAL]
"The timing is notable, following closely on the heels of cross-border tensions with Afghanistan and major investment deals in the region. This operation serves both a security and a signaling purpose—to reassure foreign investors and assert control over a perpetually volatile province." — David Chen, political risk consultant, Singapore.
"The 'Indian-backed' narrative is a tired and convenient scapegoat that deflects from addressing the genuine political and economic grievances within Balochistan that fuel the insurgency. Until those are tackled, the cycle of violence will continue." — Dr. Anya Mehta, professor of South Asian Studies, University of London.
___
Reporting contributed from Islamabad.