The southwestern region of Pakistan witnessed one of its bloodiest weekends as security forces eliminated 145 armed fighters following deadly coordinated strikes across multiple cities. More visits to the Pakistan Network.
Breaking Down the Weekend Violence
Saturday morning brought terror to Balochistan when armed groups launched synchronized attacks on 12 different locations. The targets included police stations, military posts, and, surprisingly, civilian spaces like hospitals and shopping areas.
The human toll was devastating. Forty-eight people lost their lives, with civilians making up the majority of casualties. Among the dead were five women who were simply going about their daily lives when violence erupted.
Swift and Deadly Response
Pakistan’s military and police forces didn’t waste time. Their response was immediate and overwhelming. Within two days, they tracked down and killed 145 militants across the province.
Here’s something interesting: officials say they knew something was coming. They had intelligence reports warning about possible attacks. That’s why 41 militants were actually killed on Friday – before the main assault even happened.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti made a bold statement: this is the highest number of militants killed in any single operation in decades. All bodies are now in government custody, and some have been identified as foreign fighters.
How Did Attackers Pull This Off?
The militants used clever tactics. They dressed like normal people – just regular civilians. This allowed them to enter banks, markets, and hospitals without raising immediate suspicion.
Once inside, they opened fire indiscriminately. According to defense officials, some even used innocent people as shields during gunfights with security forces.
What really shocked authorities was the use of female attackers. At least two of the strikes involved women fighters, marking a disturbing shift in tactics.
The Group Behind the Chaos
The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility. This separatist organization has been fighting against the Pakistani government for years. They want independence and control over the province’s natural resources.
But here’s where it gets complicated. Pakistani officials accuse India and Afghanistan of supporting these militants. They even use a specific term for the BLA: “Fitna al-Hindustan,” which translates to “Indian mischief.”
India rejected these claims immediately. Their foreign ministry spokesperson called the accusations baseless and said Pakistan should focus on solving its own internal problems instead of blaming neighbours.
Afghanistan also denied any involvement.
Why Is Balochistan So Troubled?
To understand this violence, you need to know Balochistan’s story. It’s Pakistan’s biggest province – huge in size but tiny in development.
The province sits on enormous wealth: natural gas, minerals, copper, gold, and even has strategic ports. Chinese companies are building massive projects there, including the famous Gwadar Port.
But locals say they see none of these benefits. Most people remain poor while resources get extracted. This creates anger and resentment.
Separatist groups argue they’re fighting for their rights. The government calls them terrorists. The truth, as always, lies somewhere complex in between.
Life After the Attacks
Walk through Quetta today, and you’ll see a city on edge. Burned vehicles sit outside police stations. Bullet holes mark building walls. Yellow police tape blocks off entire neighbourhoods.
Jamil Ahmed Mashwani, a security guard who survived an attack, described the moment fighters struck his workplace. The physical scars on his face tell only part of his story.
Businesses remain shuttered. Shop owners worry about when the next attack might come. Schools operate with fear. Parents hesitate before sending kids to class.
The government has imposed harsh restrictions:
- No large gatherings allowed
- Vehicle movement is strictly controlled
- Face masks that hide identity are banned
- Mobile networks get jammed during operations
- Security checkpoints everywhere
These measures might improve safety, but they also strangle normal life.
The International Dimension
America’s representative in Pakistan quickly condemned the violence. The US designates the BLA as a terrorist organization, giving Pakistan international backing for its operations.
However, the accusations against India and Afghanistan complicate regional relationships. Pakistan wants both countries to act against militant sanctuaries. Both neighbours refuse, saying no such sanctuaries exist.
This diplomatic standoff continues while militants exploit the tensions.
What Military Experts Are Saying
Security analysts notice worrying patterns. Attacks are becoming more sophisticated. The coordination required to strike 12 locations simultaneously shows serious planning capability.
Targeting of civilians is increasing. Earlier, the BLA mostly focused on security forces and Chinese workers. Now, ordinary bazaars and hospitals become targets too.
The use of female fighters represents a tactical evolution. It shows the group is adapting and recruiting from wider demographics.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Let’s look at the casualties breakdown:
- Friday operations: 41 militants killed
- Saturday response: 92 militants killed
- Follow-up strikes: 12 militants killed
- Total: 145 fighters eliminated
Civilian side:
- 31 civilians dead (including 5 women)
- 17 security personnel killed
- Dozens injured
- Thousands affected by lockdowns
These aren’t just statistics. Each number represents a family destroyed, a life ended, dreams shattered.
Can This Violence End?
Military operations can kill militants, but they can’t kill the ideology driving them. As long as Balochistan remains poor despite sitting on wealth, anger will simmer.
Solutions require multiple approaches:
Economic: Jobs must be created. Local people should benefit from resource extraction. Development shouldn’t just mean highways – it means schools, hospitals, opportunities.
Political: Dialogue matters. Legitimate grievances need hearing. Not everyone demanding rights is a terrorist. Some simply want fairness.
Security: Protection is necessary. Terrorists who kill innocents must face justice. But heavy-handed tactics can create more militants than they eliminate.
Social: Building trust takes time. Communities feeling excluded from Pakistan’s progress need inclusion, not just force.
The China Factor
Chinese investment in Balochistan runs into billions. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes right through this troubled region. Beijing is naturally concerned about security.
Several Chinese workers have been killed in previous attacks. Each incident strains the relationship and puts pressure on China pressure Pakistan for better security.
This adds another layer: Pakistan must protect Chinese interests while addressing local concerns about foreign projects.
What Happens Next?
Security forces continue hunting remaining militants. Intelligence agencies work to prevent future attacks. The government promises justice for victims.
But unless fundamental issues get addressed, this cycle continues. More attacks. More operations. More deaths. More anger.
Balochistan needs peace, not just security. It needs development, not just military presence. It needs dialogue, not just force.
Key Takeaways
- 145 militants killed in one of Pakistan’s largest counter-operations
- 48 people died in the initial attacks, including many civilians
- Attackers used civilian disguises and shields
- The government claims it had advance intelligence
- Regional accusations fly between Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan
- Strict security measures now control daily life
- Economic and political grievances fuel ongoing violence
Looking Forward
The weekend’s violence shows Balochistan’s conflict is far from over. Military successes against militants provide temporary relief but don’t solve the root problems.
Real progress requires honest conversation about resource sharing, political autonomy, and development priorities. It demands seeing Baloch people not as problems to manage but as citizens deserving dignity and opportunity.
Until then, Balochistan will remain caught between separatist violence and state force, with ordinary people paying the highest price.