People gather as others collect recyclables next to a burnt vehicle along a road on the outskirts of Quetta, a day after coordinated terrorist attacks in Balochistan. Photo: AFP
QUETTA:
Balochistan witnessed one of its most intense counter-terrorism operations in recent years as security forces killed at least 145 terrorists within a 40-hour window, thwarting a wave of coordinated attacks, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti declared on Sunday.
At a press conference in Quetta, Bugti described the operation as one of the most extensive intelligence-led operations carried out in such a compressed time frame, following several attacks claimed by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
According to Inter-Services Public Relations, terrorists launched coordinated attacks at multiple locations on Saturday, targeting security installations and civilian areas across Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
Security forces responded with sustained clearance operations and standoffs, killing 92 terrorists while 18 civilians lost their lives. The military said 15 security personnel “fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom” during the operations.
At the press conference, Bugti said intelligence services had intercepted information indicating the attacks were imminent, allowing pre-emptive actions to begin a day earlier in northeastern Quetta, Panjgur and Sherani.
“We had intelligence reports that this was being planned, so we started operations a day earlier,” Bugti said, adding that early intervention prevented attacks in sensitive parts of Quetta’s northeastern areas.
He said forces remained on high alert elsewhere, conducting more than 5,800 intelligence-based operations over 40 hours. “So far we have 145 bodies. We managed to kill 145 terrorists – the highest number in 40 hours,” he said.
Bugti accused militants of deliberately targeting civilians and exploiting vulnerable populations. Referring to an incident in Gwadar, he said five women and three children were killed in a family labor colony despite pleading for their lives.
He also revealed that terrorists damaged surveillance infrastructure, including Safe City cameras in Quetta, although he added that the system had since been improved and expanded to strengthen city surveillance and response capacity.
The chief minister said terrorists were using children as human shields during attacks in Quetta, complicating operational decisions. “They had an 11-year-old child with them. Should the police kill an 11-year-old?” he asked.
Bugti insisted that no city had been overrun and said that daily life in most of Quetta continued uninterrupted. “No city was taken over. I myself moved around Quetta,” he said, adding that only one locality was temporarily affected.
He alleged that the attacks were planned from Afghan territory and carried out on instructions from India, describing the militants as an external proxy seeking to destabilize Pakistan during periods of regional tension.
“We are a responsible state – police and army. We don’t want to be lethal,” Bugti said. “But we will not let them go so easily. Our blood is not that cheap,” he said. Don’t call them Baloch. Baloch are not terrorists. They kill Baloch women and then exploit Baloch identity.”
The chief minister said the terrorists tried to seize sensitive installations and create hostage situations, especially in Noshki, but failed. “Noshki is now completely ready. It took time but we cleared it,” he added.
According to the provincial authorities, 17 personnel of law enforcement agencies, including police and border corps, along with a naval official, were martyred. At least 31 others were injured in the attacks.
Meanwhile, amid heightened security concerns, the Balochistan government imposed Section 144 across the province for a month, with effect from February 1, citing the recent attacks and the prevailing law and order situation.
An official announcement stated that the display and use of weapons had been completely banned, including brandishing weapons, firing from the air and carrying weapons in public or private spaces, all classified as serious offences.
The order also banned pillion riding on motorcycles, with possible exceptions for women and children under consideration, and banned tinted windows, unregistered vehicles and gatherings of five or more people without prior approval.
Covering the face in public using masks, mufflers or cloth was also prohibited, except for medical or legitimate reasons, with violators facing action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Police, Levies, Frontier Corps and other agencies have been empowered to enforce the restrictions, which officials said were necessary to protect lives, support the fight against terrorism and prevent further incidents.
