A series of coordinated attacks by separatist militants in Pakistan‘s Balochistan province, along with retaliatory operations by security forces, have resulted in the deaths of at least 51 people, according to officials on Monday. This marks one of the most extensive assaults by ethnic insurgents in years, as part of their long-standing campaign to secede from Pakistan and gain independence for the resource-rich southwestern province.
Highway Attacks and Rail Disruptions
The most significant of the attacks targeted vehicles on a major highway, where militants set ablaze 35 vehicles, including buses and goods trucks, killing at least 23 people. Armed men blocked the highway in the Musakhail area, forcibly removing passengers from vehicles and executing them after checking their identity cards. Workers from Punjab, seen by militants as exploiting Balochistan’s resources, were among the victims.
Rail traffic to Quetta was suspended following explosions on a rail bridge connecting the provincial capital to the rest of Pakistan and another linking to neighboring Iran. Six unidentified bodies were discovered near the site of the rail bridge attack, further underscoring the deadly impact of the insurgent actions.
Security Stations Targeted
Militants also launched attacks on police and security stations across Balochistan, killing at least 10 people in a single attack. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the largest of several insurgent groups in the region, claimed responsibility for these attacks, including one on a major paramilitary base, though Pakistani authorities have yet to confirm the full extent of the damage.
Government Response and Security Operations
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attacks, describing them as a deliberate attempt to create chaos in Pakistan. In response, security forces conducted operations that resulted in the deaths of 12 militants, although details of these operations were not disclosed.
The office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement vowing that security forces would retaliate against those responsible for the attacks and ensure justice is served.
Balochistan’s Ongoing Struggle
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, borders both Iran and Afghanistan and has long been plagued by underdevelopment and poverty. The region’s insurgent groups, particularly the BLA, have been fighting the central government for decades, accusing it of unfairly exploiting the province’s natural resources. The BLA also seeks to expel Chinese interests, including the strategic port of Gwadar and a gold and copper mine, from the region.
The situation in Balochistan remains tense, with ongoing fears of further violence as security forces continue their operations against the insurgents.
