ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir vowed on Thursday to continue military operations against separatist and militant groups in the southwestern province of Balochistan, saying the armed forces would defeat “foreign-sponsored proxies” seeking to destabilize the region.
The army chief’s remarks came during an address to participants of the National Workshop Balochistan, a military-supported program that brings together participants from across the country to examine the province’s political, economic, security and social challenges, as violence continued in the province.
Earlier on Thursday, unidentified gunmen shot dead a judge and his security guard in Mastung district, while Pakistani security forces have continued to conduct intelligence-based operations across Balochistan against separatist militants and other armed groups.
“Foreign-sponsored proxies have persistently sought to fuel violence, undermine stability and disrupt peace in Balochistan,” Munir said, according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“Their nefarious designs, however, will be defeated through firm and decisive response of the Armed Forces, supported by the resilience and unity of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
Munir said sustained efforts by the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, backed by public support, would bring lasting peace to the province and reaffirmed that operations against militant groups would continue until “the menace of terrorism and its abettors are eliminated from Pakistan.”
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has long been the site of a separatist insurgency. Militant groups have targeted security forces, government installations and Chinese interests involved in infrastructure and mining projects.
Separatist groups accuse the Pakistani state of exploiting Balochistan’s mineral resources while denying local communities a fair share of the benefits, allegations Islamabad rejects.
Pakistan has also repeatedly accused India of supporting separatist militants operating in the province, a charge New Delhi denies.
During the interaction, Munir described Balochistan as “the pride of Pakistan, endowed with immense natural wealth” and said ongoing federal and provincial government development initiatives aimed to transform the province through “an inclusive and people-centric approach.”
He also praised the role of civil society, academia, media and young people in promoting national integration and supporting Balochistan’s long-term peace and prosperity.
