Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani police announced that security forces have regained full control of a town in the southwestern province of Balochistan. This followed a three-day battle with separatist militants. Authorities used drones and helicopters to support the operation. As a result, the province, Pakistan’s largest, was brought to a near standstill. The events began with a wave of coordinated attacks launched by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) last Saturday. The attacks targeted more than 10 security and civilian sites, resulting in the deaths of at least 197 militants, according to official reports. The death toll among civilians and security personnel has since risen to 58. The total number of civilian and security casualties has reached 58, including police officers and soldiers. Police reported that the fierce fighting involved heavy gunfire, with the militants using grenades and heavy weapons. Authorities closed major roads and imposed a curfew, affecting millions of residents in the resource-rich province.
Balochistan, which comprises 44% of Pakistan’s landmass, has been the scene of a separatist insurgency for decades. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) demands greater rights to the region’s gas and mineral wealth. The recent attacks are the most violent since 2024 and come amid accusations that Islamabad is suppressing the Baloch movement. The government has denied the accusations, asserting that it will “eradicate terrorism.” In an official statement, the Pakistani Interior Minister said, “We have regained control, and the terrorists will face their fate.” The fighting has drawn international condemnation. The United Nations has also called for an end to the violence and for the protection of civilians.
