Islamabad (Pakistan): Pakistan’s military on Thursday said it has concluded a week-long security operation in Balochistan, claiming that 216 militants were killed during targeted offensives across the restive southwestern province.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, was brought to a near standstill over the weekend after separatist fighters launched a wave of coordinated attacks across the region. Militants belonging to the Baloch Liberation Army targeted schools, banks, marketplaces and security installations in what officials described as one of the group’s most extensive operations to date.
According to the military, the attacks resulted in the deaths of 22 security personnel and 36 civilians. The violence unfolded across more than a dozen locations, significantly disrupting normal life in several districts.
The army said the insurgent strikes followed the launch of its intelligence-based counterterrorism campaign, Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1, which began on January 29. The operation, whose name translates to “countering chaos,” was aimed at dismantling militant networks operating across the province.
In a statement, the military said security forces and law enforcement agencies, supported by intelligence services, carried out coordinated actions with precision. It added that the operation led to the elimination of 216 militants across Balochistan since its commencement.
Security officials and local witnesses said insurgents briefly seized government buildings and police stations in multiple areas. In the desert town of Nushki, militants reportedly held control for three days before being pushed out by security forces. Helicopters and drones were deployed to the area to break the siege and restore control.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is rich in mineral resources and holds strategic importance due to Chinese-backed projects, including the Gwadar deepwater port. The province has been affected by a decades-long insurgency led by ethnic Baloch groups demanding greater autonomy and a larger share of local resources.
