QUETTA/KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Saturday it killed 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, while repelling coordinated attacks across the southwestern province of Balochistan, as security forces carried out large-scale clearance operations following assaults on civilians and law enforcement personnel.
The attacks, involving gunfire and explosions, targeted several locations including the provincial capital Quetta and the coastal city of Gwadar, as well as Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump and Pasni, according to the military’s media wing.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that militants launched multiple attacks “to disrupt peace in Balochistan.”
“Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies being fully alert immediately responded and successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists,” it said. “Our valiant troops carried out engagement of terrorists with precision and after prolong, intense and daring clearance operation across Balochistan, sent ninety two terrorists including three suicide bombers to hell, ensuring security and protection of local populace.”
The military said 18 civilians, including women, children, elderly people and laborers, were killed in attacks in Gwadar and Kharan. It said 15 security personnel were also killed during clearance operations and armed standoffs.
The ISPR said the attacks were launched by “Indian sponsored Fitna al Hindustan,” a reference to the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), saying intelligence reports confirmed the violence was orchestrated and directed by militant leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with attackers during the assaults.
The BLA also issued a statement earlier in the day, saying it had launched what it called “Operation Herof 2.0” and claiming responsibility for attacks in multiple locations.
Pakistani officials describe BLA militants as Indian proxies, a charge New Delhi denies.
The military said sanitization operations were continuing across the affected areas and that those involved in planning, facilitating or carrying out the attacks would be brought to justice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for foiling what he described as organized attempts to destabilize Balochistan, and paid tribute to personnel killed during the operations.
The ISPR said 41 additional militants were killed in separate operations a day earlier in Panjgur and Harnai, bringing the total number of militants killed in the past two days to 133.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a decades-long insurgency by separatist militant groups, with Pakistani authorities frequently accusing foreign actors of backing the violence. India has repeatedly denied such allegations.
