Pakistan's Military Intensifies Crackdown in Balochistan After Wave of Coordinated Attacks
QUETTA, Pakistan — In a dramatic escalation of force, Pakistani military and police units have killed 177 militants affiliated with the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in a 48-hour counter-offensive, security officials announced Monday. The operation, one of the deadliest in recent memory, comes as a direct response to a brazen wave of coordinated weekend attacks by the separatist group that struck police stations, security installations, and civilian homes across the restive southwestern province of Balochistan.
The weekend violence, which officials say involved nearly 200 militants launching near-simultaneous suicide bombings and gun assaults, killed at least 18 civilians and 15 security personnel. The scale of the insurgent onslaught and the ferocity of the state's response mark a significant intensification in a long-running conflict over Balochistan's resources and political autonomy.
"The numbers are staggering and point to a decisive, no-holds-barred shift in tactics by the state," said Dr. Ayesha Raza, a security analyst based in Islamabad. "While the immediate threat may be neutralized, such a high casualty figure risks deepening the cycle of resentment in a province where many already feel marginalized."
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces' "exceptional bravery," claiming in a statement that an additional 22 "Indian-backed terrorists" were eliminated on Monday. New Delhi has not yet responded to the allegation, which was made without presented evidence.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but most sparsely populated province, has been a flashpoint for separatist sentiment for decades. Ethnic Baloch factions, including the BLA, accuse the central government in Islamabad of economic exploitation and political discrimination, fueling a persistent insurgency. The region is also a strategic corridor for China's Belt and Road infrastructure projects, which have frequently been targeted by militants.
Although authorities reported a return to relative calm on Monday, train services connecting Balochistan to the rest of the country remained suspended for a third day due to security concerns—a reminder of the lingering instability. The province witnessed a similar tragedy in March when a BLA attack on a passenger train left 31 dead.
Public Reaction & Analysis:
"Finally, a strong response! These militants have brought nothing but bloodshed to our doorsteps. The state has every right to defend its citizens and sovereignty. This operation should have happened sooner." — Col. (Retd.) Faisal Mahmood, 58, former army officer, Lahore.
"177 lives extinguished in two days. Each one was someone's son, brother, father. This isn't 'restoring order'; it's a massacre that will birth a hundred more militants. When will we address the root causes—the poverty, the missing persons, the sheer neglect of Balochistan?" — Zahra Khan, 32, human rights activist, Quetta. [Emotional/Sharp]
"The geopolitical dimension cannot be ignored. The minister's swift accusation against India, and the BLA's alleged ties to the Pakistani Taliban, which is allied with Afghanistan's rulers, shows this is a multi-layered proxy conflict. The high death toll reflects Pakistan's determination to secure its interests, especially with Chinese investments at stake." — David Chen, 45, regional affairs commentator, Singapore.