More Than 50 Killed In Coordinated Attacks Across Balochistan; Security Forces Eliminate 21 Terrorists In Response

26 August: Balochistan experienced a surge in violence on Monday as a series of coordinated attacks across the province resulted in more than 50 fatalities, including 23 passengers in Musakhail, according to officials. Security forces responded by eliminating 21 terrorists and wounding several others.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti reported that 38 innocent lives were lost due to the attacks, while a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that 14 security personnel, including four law enforcement officers, were martyred during operations aimed at neutralizing the 21 terrorists.

Key Details:

• 38 people killed in multiple attacks across Balochistan, according to the Chief Minister.
• 23 passengers were executed in Musakhail following identity checks.
• The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
• ISPR reports 21 terrorists killed and 14 personnel martyred in ongoing clearance operations.

The violence began late Sunday night, targeting Levies and police stations in several locations, including Mastung, Kalat, Pasni, and Suntsar, leading to numerous casualties. Additional explosions and grenade attacks were reported in Sibi, Panjgur, Mastung, Turbat, Bela, and Quetta, including the destruction of a railway track near Mastung by terrorists.

In Kalat, 11 people, including four Levies personnel, were killed. Later in the day, six bodies were discovered in the Bolan district. The military later issued a statement confirming the elimination of 21 terrorists and the martyrdom of 14 security personnel, though it remains unclear if this figure includes the four Levies personnel killed in Kalat.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the government has a clear understanding of the individuals and groups responsible for orchestrating these attacks. He emphasized that the attacks were executed in a well-planned and coordinated manner.

During the attacks, a police station in Suntsar, Gwadar, was overrun, and official weapons were seized. Armed men also took personnel hostage at Levies Thana Khadkocha and engaged in firefights with law enforcement in Kalat.

“Four Levies personnel—Ahsanullah, Ali Akbar, Rehmatullah, and Nasibullah—were among those martyred in the clashes,” said Superintendent of Police Dostain Dashti. Additionally, police sub-inspector Huzoor Baksh, a tribal elder, and two civilians were also among those killed.

The Quetta-Karachi highway was closed due to ongoing clashes, and an emergency was declared in nearby hospitals. In the Bolan district, six bodies were found, with four recovered from beneath a damaged bridge. The identification process for the deceased is ongoing.

Incident in Musakhail:

In a separate incident, at least 23 people were killed in Musakhail when armed men stopped trucks and buses, forcibly removed passengers, and shot them after verifying their identities. The victims were reportedly from Punjab, and the attackers set fire to 23 vehicles, including trucks and passenger vans.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a prominent militant group in the region, claimed responsibility for the attack, marking it as one of the deadliest incidents in recent years.

Military Response and Ongoing Operations:

According to the ISPR, 21 terrorists were killed as security forces and law enforcement agencies responded to the attacks, and 14 soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty. The military is conducting ongoing sanitization operations to eliminate all instigators, perpetrators, facilitators, and abettors involved in these attacks.

Political Reactions and Condemnations:

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti described the attackers as terrorists rather than “discontent Baloch,” condemning their actions and asserting the government’s resolve to respond decisively. Interior Minister Naqvi echoed these sentiments, stating that a comprehensive strategy is being developed to address the situation and engage with the political leadership in Balochistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks and expressed his condolences, instructing that the best medical care be provided to the injured. President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the violence and vowed to eradicate terrorism.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called for solidarity with the victims of terrorism in Balochistan, urging those protesting for missing persons to acknowledge the recent violence and show support for the affected families.

Context of Ongoing Conflict:

This recent surge in violence is the second major attack of its kind this year. Earlier in April, nine passengers were executed near Noshki after being identified via ID checks. Last year, Balochistan saw 170 militant attacks, resulting in the deaths of 151 civilians and 114 security personnel. Previous years have also witnessed targeted killings, often based on ethnic backgrounds.

The government and security forces remain committed to combating terrorism and maintaining peace and stability in Balochistan, reinforcing their determination in the wake of these tragic events.