Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province was hit by one of its most extensive and coordinated insurgent offensives in recent years, according to official government statements and reports from verified news agencies.
Security officials said at least 10 members of Pakistan’s police and paramilitary forces were killed in the attacks, while 37 insurgents were killed during subsequent counter-operations. No official civilian death toll has been confirmed, though authorities declared emergencies at hospitals across the province as a precaution.
Coordinated wave of attacks
Authorities said the violence began at around 3:00 a.m. local time, with militants launching near-simultaneous assaults on at least 12 locations across the province.
Areas affected included Quetta, Gwadar, Pasni, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin and Kharan. Officials said security installations and critical infrastructure were targeted in what appeared to be an attempt to overwhelm provincial response capabilities.
Infrastructure and security disruptions
Several sections of railway tracks were blown up, forcing Pakistan Railways to suspend all train services between Balochistan and the rest of the country.
In Mastung district, attackers stormed a high-security prison and freed more than 30 inmates, according to provincial authorities. Mobile phone and internet services were temporarily suspended in multiple districts as part of security measures to prevent further militant coordination.
Claim of responsibility
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), through its elite Majeed Brigade, claimed responsibility for the attacks. In a statement, the group said the operation marked the second phase of what it called “Operation Herof.”
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the response of security forces, saying many planned assaults were thwarted. He referred to the militant groups involved as “Fitna al-Hindustan,” a term used by the government to suggest foreign backing for the insurgency.
Broader security context
The attacks came a day after the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said 41 militants were killed in intelligence-based operations carried out on Jan. 30 in the Harnai and Panjgur districts.
Security operations across Balochistan remain ongoing, with authorities warning that additional counterterrorism measures could be announced in the coming days.
