Balochistan – Pakistan security forces launched an extensive manhunt on Sunday following a wave of coordinated Balochistan attacks that resulted in catastrophic casualties. Official figures confirmed at least 31 civilians, 17 security personnel, and 145 militants were killed in Saturday’s violence, marking one of the deadliest incidents in recent years in the restive southwestern province. The scale and coordination of the Balochistan attacks prompted Islamabad to vow swift retaliation against those responsible.
Widespread Security Restrictions Imposed
Authorities imposed sweeping security restrictions across the province as investigations continued and rescue operations entered their second day following the Balochistan attacks. Mobile internet services across the entire province have been suspended for more than 24 hours, creating a communication blackout that has isolated residents from the outside world. Road traffic remains severely disrupted, and train services have been completely halted as part of heightened security measures designed to prevent further violence.
Around a dozen locations targeted in the Balochistan attacks—including the provincial capital Quetta—remained sealed off on Sunday, with troops systematically combing affected areas. Officials reported that militants had stormed banks, jails, and military installations during the coordinated assault. An official confirmed that a deputy district commissioner was abducted during the violence, highlighting the audacious nature of the Balochistan attacks.
Quetta Transformed Into Ghost City
After being rocked by explosions, the usually bustling city of Quetta lay largely deserted on Sunday. Major roads stood empty, businesses remained shuttered, and residents stayed indoors amid widespread fears of renewed violence following the Balochistan attacks. The atmosphere of dread permeated the provincial capital as citizens grappled with the aftermath of the devastating assault.
Shattered metal fragments and mangled vehicles were strewn across several roads throughout the city, providing stark visual evidence of the intensity of the blasts and gun battles that erupted during the Balochistan attacks. The physical devastation reflected the ferocity of the confrontations between militants and security forces.
“Anyone who leaves home has no certainty of returning safe and sound. There is constant fear over whether they will come back unharmed,” said Hamdullah, a 39-year-old shopkeeper in Quetta, capturing the pervasive anxiety gripping residents following the Balochistan attacks.
Military Vows Justice and Retaliation
The Pakistan military announced it was conducting “sanitisation operations” in areas hit by the Balochistan attacks and pledged decisive action against those responsible. “The instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of these heinous and cowardly acts will be brought to justice,” the military stated late Saturday, signaling its determination to respond forcefully to the violence.
These operations represent part of broader efforts to restore security and prevent further Balochistan attacks from occurring. Military forces deployed across the province are working to identify and neutralize remaining threats while gathering intelligence about the coordinated assault’s planning and execution.
BLA Claims Responsibility for Coordinated Assault
The Baloch Liberation Army, the province’s most active separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the Balochistan attacks in an official statement. The BLA said it specifically targeted military installations along with police and civil administration officials through gun attacks and suicide bombings, demonstrating sophisticated planning and execution capabilities.
The group’s claim underscores the persistent separatist insurgency that has plagued Balochistan for decades. The Balochistan attacks represent the latest escalation in a long-running conflict characterized by repeated assaults on security forces, non-local Pakistanis, and foreign interests operating in the resource-rich province.
Context of Escalating Violence
The Saturday Balochistan attacks came just one day after the Pakistani military announced it had killed 41 insurgents in two separate operations within the province. This sequence of events suggests an intensifying cycle of violence between security forces and separatist militants, with each side conducting increasingly deadly operations.
Balochistan has witnessed a decades-long separatist insurgency driven by grievances over resource exploitation and political marginalization. The recent Balochistan attacks demonstrate that despite military operations, militant groups retain significant operational capacity and willingness to conduct high-casualty assaults.
India Rejects Pakistani Allegations
India categorically rejected Pakistan military’s claims of Indian involvement in the Balochistan attacks. “We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, which are nothing but its usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.
The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan should address underlying causes rather than making unsubstantiated accusations following the Balochistan attacks. “Instead of parroting frivolous claims each time there is a violent incident, it would do better to focus on addressing long-standing demands of its people in the region. Its record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights is well known,” Jaiswal added.
Humanitarian Impact and Provincial Crisis
The Balochistan attacks have created a humanitarian crisis as residents face communication blackouts, restricted movement, and pervasive fear. The suspension of internet services has prevented families from confirming loved ones’ safety, while the halt in transportation services has stranded travelers and disrupted essential supplies.
As investigations continue and security operations expand, the full impact of the Balochistan attacks on the province’s stability and Pakistan’s broader security situation remains to be seen. The coordinated nature and high casualty count represent a significant challenge to Islamabad’s authority in the troubled southwestern region.
