QUETTA/DG KHAN/ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday said that security forces have killed 145 terrorists within 40 hours during intelligence-based operations across the province, calling it the highest number of militants eliminated in such a short span since Pakistan began its fight against terrorism.
Addressing a press conference, the chief minister paid tribute to security personnel and civilians who lost their lives while thwarting the recent terrorist attacks.
He said intelligence agencies had received credible reports of planned attacks in Panjgur and from the Shaban area aimed at targeting Quetta, including attempts to breach the Red Zone. Acting on the information, security forces launched preemptive operations and neutralised around 40 terrorists in those areas.
Bugti confirmed that 17 law enforcement personnel and 31 civilians were martyred in the recent wave of attacks, while several others sustained injuries. He said the bodies of 145 terrorists were currently in the custody of authorities.
Expressing grief over the killing of a Baloch family from Khuzdar residing in a labour colony in Gwadar, the chief minister said terrorists had martyred five women and three children.
He praised the bravery of security personnel who prevented attackers from ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into Quetta’s Red Zone, announcing that a high state award would be given to the injured officer.
The chief minister said security forces carried out more than 58,000 intelligence-based operations over the past year, eliminating over 1,500 terrorists.
Rejecting claims of so-called “freedom” by anti-state elements, Bugti said militants had failed to take control of even a single union council or ward. He reiterated that the government would not surrender under any circumstances.
Bugti accused hostile elements of acting on India’s direction to destabilise Pakistan whenever it makes economic or diplomatic progress.
Questioning calls for dialogue, he said the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was not a registered political party but an armed group seeking to impose a foreign-backed agenda through violence. He stressed that terrorism should not be misrepresented as a political issue, warning that justifying violence in the name of dialogue amounted to supporting militancy.
While reaffirming that dialogue is welcome if it genuinely leads to peace, he made it clear that surrender to armed groups was unacceptable. Calling the conflict an intelligence-driven war backed by hostile agencies, Bugti said militants could not take “even an inch” of Pakistan.
He emphasized that the state conducts targeted intelligence-based operations rather than indiscriminate force. The chief minister said combing operations were continuing and terrorists would not be allowed to escape. He vowed that the sacrifices of police, Frontier Corps personnel and civilians would not go in vain and that militants would be relentlessly pursued.
Highlighting governance reforms, Bugti said meritocracy was being promoted across Balochistan, with officers, including deputy commissioners and chairman of the Balochistan Public Service Commission, appointed purely on merit. He added that youth employment was being ensured through transparent processes, including the use of modern technology.
Bugti said the government was engaging with youth through dialogues and jirgas to counter propaganda, adding that thousands of such engagements were held monthly across the province. He reiterated that security, development and governance reforms would move forward together to ensure lasting peace.
The Balochistan chief minister said the families/parents are required to inform on the person if he or she has joined militants. If they do not inform the government action will be taken against them as well.
He also disclosed that militants had targeted Safe City cameras in Quetta, adding that the surveillance network would be expanded with CCTV installations in eight cities.
Reaffirming commitment to the National Action Plan, Bugti said past reconciliation policies had caused damage and vowed that terrorists would be brought to justice without leniency.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 across the province for a period of one month in an effort to maintain law and order. According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the order places a complete ban on the display and use of weapons, motorcycle pillion riding, use of vehicles with tinted windows, and movement of unregistered vehicles. The notification also prohibits gatherings of five or more people.
In addition, the government has imposed a strict ban on covering faces in public places through mufflers, masks, or any other means. The restrictions will remain in force throughout the province for the specified period, and authorities have directed law enforcement agencies to ensure strict implementation of the orders.
Though the operation against terrorists has been completed but the situation in Noshki was not clear. The Quetta Taftan highway was found closed while other highways, including Quetta-Karachi, Quetta-Chaman and Loralai-Dera Ghazi Khan were opened as announced by the NHA officials.
Reports reaching here suggested firing was also heard in some areas of Noshki. The banned BLA has released Deputy Commissioner Nushki, Muhammad Hussain Hazara and female Assistant Commissioner, Maria Shamaoon, who were taken into custody by armed militants the other day from Noshki.
In the port city of Gwadar, clearance operations were continuing in some areas after authorities received information about the presence of terrorists. Authorities said that security forces had successfully cleared Port Road while Qesco’s Urban Sub-Division Gwadar was also cleared.
“The remaining five terrorists of banned BLA Fitna al Hindustan were neutralized, restoring complete security in Gwadar,” officials said, adding that the security of the port city was beefed up, deploying more security personnel at all important places.
In the meanwhile, the death toll of security personnel increased to 18 as an injured police constable succumbed to his injuries at the Civil Hospital, on Sunday. He was named as head constable Abdul Salam Jattak who was seriously injured in the terrorist attack on a police station located on the outskirts of Quetta city. He belonged to the Tamboo area of Nasirabad district where he was laid to rest with full state honour.
Earlier, all Punjab-Balochistan inter provincial border routes have been closed for all kinds of traffic over the tense security situation in Balochistan. Deputy Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan, Muhammad Usman Khalid, said that all traffic heading towards Balochistan has been halted.
He stated that for the time being, passengers cannot travel to Balochistan via Dera Ghazi Khan. Inter-provincial border points including Bawata, Rakhi Gaj and the Taunsa-Musa Khel Road have been closed for all types of traffic, and no vehicle is being allowed to move from Punjab into Balochistan. It must be mentioned that Dera Ghazi Khan is a gateway for major parts of Balochistan.
Meanwhile, foreign missions in Pakistan have strongly condemned Saturday’s deadly terrorist attacks in Balochistan, which targeted security personnel and civilians and were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
They expressed solidarity with Pakistan and extended condolences to terror victims and their families.
The United States, through Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad Natalie Baker, “strongly condemned” the attacks and extended deepest sympathies to the victims, their families and all those affected. “The Pakistani people deserve to live free from violence and fear.”
Baker said Washington, which remained a steadfast partner of Islamabad in its efforts to ensure peace and stability, stood in solidarity with Pakistan during “this difficult time”.
Condemnation also came in from the European Union in Pakistan, which rejected terrorism in all forms and offered condolences to the families of civilians and security personnel killed. It also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
While denouncing the terrorist attacks, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed Riyadh’s stand against terrorism. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renews its stance of completely rejecting all acts of terrorism and extremism,” it said in a statement.
The embassy said it stood in solidarity with the people of Pakistan and repeated its support for the efforts made to protect the “sacred soil of Pakistan”. It extended heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of martyrs as well as to the Pakistani government and people, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Similarly, the UK High Commission condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its commitment to peace. “Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and all those affected. We stand with Pakistan in rejecting terrorism and in our shared commitment to peace and security,” the high commission said in a message.
The Embassy of France also denounced the terrorist attacks in Balochistan and extended “heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and profound sympathy to all others affected.
It affirmed solidarity with Pakistan against terrorism. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan against terrorism in all its forms,” read a message from the embassy.
Also, Sweden’s Ambassador Alex Berg von Linde offered deepest condolences to the families of those killed by terrorists and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
The Canadian High Commission also sympathised with the families of terror victims. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by recent attacks in Balochistan,” it said in a statement.
The Embassy of Iran also condemned the attacks and extended sincere and deepest condolences and sympathy to the Pakistani government and people, especially the bereaved families,
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and we pray for the safe and speedy recovery of the injured. May Allah Almighty grant the martyrs the highest, most exalted level of Paradise and bless them with eternal peace,” said the embassy in a message.
It said Iran, as a matter of principle, unequivocally condemned all forms of terrorism, which remained a serious threat and concern for the international community. “Such heinous acts, often supported by extraterritorial actors, must be confronted through collective regional and international cooperation.”
The Turkish Embassy in Islamabad condemned the attacks in the “strongest terms”, invoking Almighty Allah’s mercy for the deceased and a swift recovery for the injured. It said Turkiye would continue to stand by brotherly Pakistan in its fight against all forms of terrorism.
The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates quoted the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as strongly denouncing the attacks and expressing sincere condolences to victims’ families.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the UAE’s strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.” The ministry also offered sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan over “heinous attacks”.
Meanwhile, in response to media queries regarding comments made by Pakistan, the official spokesperson of Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Randhir Jaiswal said, “We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan which are nothing but its usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings. Instead of parroting frivolous claims each time there is a violent incident, it would do better to focus on longstanding demands of its people in the region. Its record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights is well known.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly condemned the cowardly and coordinated terrorist hits carried out in Balochistan and charged the situation clearly shows there is neither a serious strategic approach at the federal level nor an understanding of ground realities by the provincial government.
In a statement issued here, the party expressed deep alarm over the ‘rapidly deteriorating’ security situation in the province and noted that the simultaneous attacks across multiple districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Dalbandin, Khuzdar, Panjgur, Gwadar and Pasni, early indicate a meticulously planned effort to spread fear, undermine peace, and destabilise not only Balochistan but the entire country.
PTI maintained that the attacks were aimed at spreading fear, sabotaging peace and destabilising not only Balochistan but the entire country. “The problems in Balochistan can’t be addressed through mere statements, casual measures or political negligence. The rising wave of terrorist incidents, the loss of precious lives and the growing hardships faced by citizens demand the implementation of a comprehensive and serious policy that prioritizes peace, security, and the restoration of public confidence,” the party asserted.
“The party salutes the heroic security personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and stand in solidarity with all citizens affected by these attacks. Our prayers are with the injured and their families,” the statement noted.
The tragic deaths of innocent civilians including women, children, and laborers it emphasised, underscored the cruel reality that ordinary people continue to bear the heaviest toll of terrorism.
The statement reads, “The Balochistan government under Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti appears limited to issuing statements, while the province is practically in the grip of a severe crisis. Similarly, the irresponsible statements made by the federal government and the interior minister in the past, downplaying the situation, have been proved entirely inaccurate by today’s events”.
It was underscored that PTI believes that such negligence and temporary assurances have worsened the situation in a sensitive province like Balochistan, and the nation is now paying the price through increased terrorism.
The party said it is also deeply concerned that, according to reports, thousands of citizens were stranded on key highways in Balochistan following the attacks, and communication systems, including the internet, have been suspended, preventing people from receiving accurate and timely information.
Meanwhile, Federal ministers on Sunday strongly condemned the recent coordinated terrorist attacks in Balochistan, saying that India was funding terrorism in Pakistan to undermine the country’s economy.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that India-backed terrorists are now exploiting women and children for their malicious objectives. Addressing a press conference at his residence in Sialkot, the defence minister said: “Women were used at two locations in yesterday’s attacks.”
He said that the recently failed child suicide bombing attempt in Karachi and the case of a young girl in Pasni were clear evidence that innocent minds are being systematically radicalised.
Talking to journalists, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out on Saturday at 12 different locations across Balochistan, with a deliberate attempt to cause widespread bloodshed. He stated that these attacks were aimed at compensating for the losses suffered over the past year by the BLA and its affiliated organisations.
The defence minister said that multiple locations across Balochistan were targeted simultaneously, highlighting the organised nature of the attacks. He said the incidents pointed to a clear nexus between India and the BLA, describing them as two sides of the same coin and saying that the BLA was operating as an Indian proxy.
The defence czar said that following the major setback faced by India in May last year, such attacks are now being used to deliberately target civilian populations. These actions are intended to destabilise Pakistan at a time when the country, after enduring two years of economic hardship, has begun progressing again. He added that India and the BLA wanted to push Pakistan back into economic darkness and undermine its national integrity.
The defence minister said intelligence reports and confessional statements from arrested militants clearly indicate that links of these terrorist activities lead back to India. He reiterated that the BLA is a globally designated terrorist organisation, banned both nationally and internationally.
The minister said that people facing poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship are being deliberately targeted by extremist networks. He said suicide attacks were also attempted on the Frontier Corps headquarters in Noshki and Dalbandin, while nearly twelve locations were targeted in total. Due to timely action by security forces, all attempts were foiled, he added.
He stated that due to Balochistan’s vast geographical area and sparse population, terrorists have sometimes gained temporary advantages, but these will be eliminated in the coming days.
The minister reiterated that the terrorist leadership operating from Afghanistan is exploiting innocent youth for malicious objectives. He made it clear that Pakistan is fighting a long and decisive war against the BLA and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and there will be no sympathy or leniency for these groups anywhere in the country. He said strict action will also be taken against facilitators of terrorism, who will meet the same fate as the terrorists themselves.
The defence minister noted that past counterterrorism measures had reduced attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, but stressed the need for even more effective action.
He said Pakistan will take all necessary measures to defend itself —whether terrorists are inside or outside its borders — in accordance with its constitutional mandate and state responsibility.
He further stated that KP remains the most targeted province and noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attacks this morning. The defence czar emphasised that political differences must be set aside in the national fight against terrorism.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that India had increased its investment in proxy elements after losing the war, saying these proxies receive training across the border and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
Talking to the media in Faisalabad, the state minister said that Pakistan had presented concrete evidence of India’s direct involvement in terrorism to the world. He added the global community, on the basis of these proofs, designated the BLA as a terrorist organisation.
Chaudhry said terrorists were hiding behind civilians and using them as human shields while falsely claiming to protect Baloch rights. He said the militants had targeted markets and schools and opened fire on innocent Baloch civilians, noting that they lacked the courage to confront security forces directly.
The minister said that many terrorists had fled and were being pursued, adding that the attacks targeted soft targets where women and children were used as shields. The minister added that Indian media outlets ran commentary on the incidents as if they were covering a match.
Separately, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has condemned the cowardly attacks carried out by “Fitna-al-Hindustan” in Balochistan. Speaking to the media in Lahore on Sunday, he said the security forces fought vigorously and successfully repelled the terrorists and defeated them.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was fully aware of the situation. India is deeply distressed by the defeat in “Marka-e-Haq”. He said the security forces are committed to eliminating all proxies threatening Pakistan. He also criticised the Indian media for spreading misinformation about Balochistan.
Saleh Zaafir adds: A comprehensive dossier based on evidence regarding Indian involvement in terror activities in Balochistan and active support for the internationally acclaimed terror organisation working in the province would be submitted to the United Nations and other world organisations working for human rights.
Highly placed sources in the government told The News that Pakistan is grateful to the world capitals that have outright condemned the terrorists and expressed solidarity with Pakistan and its people.
The sources said that Pakistan’s law-enforcement agencies are at work since long to eliminate Fitna al Hindustan in the province, which is India sponsored. The government would also consider presenting detailed briefing to envoys posted in Islamabad about the Indian involvement along with evidence in a couple of days at the Foreign Office. The decision would be taken today. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would chair the meeting. It is likely that Foreign Secretary Ms Amna Baloch and officials concerned would brief ambassadors/high commissioners on terrorism.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has dismissed Indian contention about its position with regard to its involvement in terrorism. Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tahir Hussain Andrabi termed the statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesman as “frivolous”. Also, parliamentary sources said that the two houses of parliament in their separate sessions would also discuss the terror activities in Balochistan immediately after commencing their proceedings.
