US, UAE condemn Balochistan attack and express solidarity with Pakistan

Washington, Abu Dhabi condemn violence as ISPR says 92 militants killed, 18 civilians martyred

A damaged vehicle is pictured near an explosion site after an attack by Baloch insurgents in Quetta, Balochistan province on Saturday. PHOTO: AFP

The United States and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks carried out in Balochistan on January 31 and expressed solidarity with Pakistan.

In a post on X, US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker said Washington “strongly condemns” the attacks, which were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group designated by the US as a foreign terrorist organization.

“On behalf of the United States, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims of terrorism, their families and all those affected,” Baker said.

She said the Pakistani people “deserve to live free from violence and fear,” adding that the United States stood with Pakistan in the face of such attacks.

“The United States remains a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure peace and stability,” she said. “We stand in solidarity with Pakistan at this difficult time.”

In an official statement on X, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as “criminal acts” and expressed its clear rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at destabilizing security and peace.

“The UAE strongly condemns these terrorist attacks that took place in several cities in Balochistan, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which tragically caused the death of a number of innocent people,” the statement said.

There were also reactions from other countries a day earlier. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said the kingdom “condemns and condemns the terrorist attacks carried out by separatists in various parts of Balochistan province.”

The British High Commission said: “Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and all those affected. We stand with Pakistan in rejecting terrorism and in our shared commitment to peace and security.”

The Turkish embassy said: “We will continue to stand by brotherly Pakistan in its fight against all forms of terrorism.”

On Saturday, terrorists carried out a series of coordinated attacks in several places in Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed by security forces while 18 civilians were martyred.

The military said that during clearance operations and intense fighting, “15 brave sons of the soil, after fighting gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom.”

Read: 92 terrorists killed, 15 security personnel martyred as attack foiled in Balochistan: ISPR

Banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attacks in a social media post, describing them as the second phase of “Operation Heroof”.

The government has designated the BLA and other Baloch groups as “Fitna al Hindustan”, claiming they are acting as proxies for India to destabilize Pakistan through hybrid warfare. Officials say the BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed links with other anti-Pakistan militant outfits operating from Afghanistan.

Security sources also claimed that Indian media and India-linked social media accounts reinforced support for Fitna al Hindustan during the attacks, highlighting what they described as a coordinated hostile information campaign.

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