Pakistan forces kill 145 Baloch BLA militants after wave of attacks

QUETTA, Balochistan,— Pakistani security forces killed 145 militants in a 40-hour operation following a series of coordinated gun and bomb attacks across Balochistan that left nearly 50 people dead, the province’s chief minister said Sunday.

The southwestern province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has seen one of its deadliest spikes in violence in years, as insurgents increase assaults on security forces, civilians, and public infrastructure.

Attackers disguised as ordinary civilians entered hospitals, schools, banks, and marketplaces on Saturday before opening fire, Pakistan’s junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry said.

He said the attackers disguised themselves as civilians and opened fire indiscriminately on people working in shops, using nearby civilians as shields.

The banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army BLA (Balochistan Ajooyi Lashkar) claimed responsibility, saying it had launched a coordinated campaign called Herof, or “black storm,” aimed at security forces throughout the province.

In Quetta, the provincial capital, the impact was visible in burned-out vehicles outside a police station, bullet-riddled doors, and streets cordoned off with yellow tape. Security forces increased patrols and restricted movement after the attacks.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reported that 17 law enforcement officers and 31 civilians were killed in the assaults. According to Pakistan’s military, 92 militants were killed Saturday and 41 on Friday.

Bugti said authorities received intelligence about the planned operation and launched preparatory measures a day in advance. He added that the latest toll is the highest number of militants killed in such a short period since the insurgency escalated.

Officials said the attacks were launched almost simultaneously across Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki districts.

Armed men opened fire at security posts, including a Frontier Corps headquarters, attempted suicide bombings, and temporarily blocked city roads. The army, police, and counterterrorism units responded with large-scale counter-operations.

Private security guard Jamil Ahmed Mashwani said attackers struck a shop shortly after midday. “They hit me on my face and head,” he said.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, has faced decades of insurgency led by ethnic Baloch separatists seeking more autonomy and a larger share of its natural resources.

The BLA claimed it killed 84 members of Pakistan’s security forces and captured 18 others, though Reuters could not independently verify the numbers. Pakistan’s military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said two of the attacks involved female attackers and noted that militants were increasingly targeting civilians, including laborers and low-income communities. The military said security forces prevented militants from taking control of any city or strategic site.

Pakistan’s military blamed the attacks on “Indian-sponsored militants,” a claim India denied Sunday. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the allegations “baseless” and urged Islamabad to focus on addressing domestic issues.

The United States condemned the attacks. U.S. Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker described the incidents as acts of terrorism and said Washington stood with Pakistan. The BLA is listed by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.

Pakistan has also faced periodic attacks from Islamist militants elsewhere, including groups linked to the Pakistani Taliban.

(With files from Reuters)