Pakistan says 145 militants killed in major Balochistan clashes

Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province has experienced a severe outbreak of violence, with officials reporting 193 fatalities from clashes spanning 40 hours. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti stated that security forces killed 145 militants in operations responding to coordinated attacks across multiple districts.

Details of the Coordinated Assaults

Speaking at a press conference in Quetta on Sunday, Bugti detailed that militants launched attacks at 12 different locations on Saturday. The assaults, which spanned districts including Quetta, Mastung, Gwadar, and Nushki, led to the deaths of 17 members of the security forces. Additionally, 31 civilians, among them women and children, were killed in the militant strikes.

Claim of Responsibility and Regional Context

The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group seeking independence for the resource-rich region, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks. This incident marks one of the deadliest single days in Pakistan's long-running conflict with militancy. Bugti noted that the militant casualties represent the highest toll in a day since the country initiated its "war on terror."

Broader Pattern of Unrest and Accusations

The violence underscores a persistent insurgency in Balochistan, which constitutes 42% of Pakistan's territory. Pakistan has repeatedly accused its regional rival, India, of fomenting unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province—an allegation India denies. The chief minister also provided context, stating that approximately 1,500 militants were neutralized in security operations across the province last year, highlighting the ongoing and intense nature of the conflict.