Pakistan’s security forces said they killed 145 militants in less than two days during operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The situation marks one of the most serious periods of violence in the region in recent times.
“We have managed to kill 145 terrorists in 40 hours,” Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan, told reporters on Sunday. He added that the clashes also led to the deaths of 31 civilians and 17 members of the security forces.
Rising Insurgent Violence Across Pakistan
Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in militant activity since last year. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, 3,967 people were killed in such attacks across the country, the highest death toll recorded since 2015.
The unrest has been especially severe in Balochistan. The province is rich in natural resources and lies near the Afghan border. For years, Baloch nationalist groups have demanded a larger share of the region’s wealth and control over local resources.
Military Response and Allegations Against India
In a statement, Pakistan’s military said the latest attacks took place in several districts of Balochistan over the weekend. The armed forces launched operations to bring the situation under control.
Military officials claimed the assaults were carried out by “Indian-sponsored militants.” However, India rejected the accusation and described it as “baseless.”
US Reaction and BLA Claim of Responsibility
The US Embassy in Islamabad also responded to the violence. In a post on X, it condemned the attacks on Pakistan’s security forces and said the Balochistan Liberation Army had claimed responsibility.
The United States designated the Balochistan Liberation Army as a terrorist organization in August, at a time when diplomatic relations between Washington and Islamabad were beginning to improve.
