The CM calls it one of the biggest counter-terrorism operations as forces prevent coordinated attacks
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti speaks at a press conference PHOTO: SCREENGRAB/PTV
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Sunday that at least 145 terrorists were killed within 40 hours during intelligence-based operations across the province, calling it one of the most comprehensive counter-terrorism campaigns conducted in such a short period of time.
The statements came a day after a series of coordinated attacks in several places in Balochistan. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed 92 terrorists 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.”
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) 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 terrorists 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, which they described as a coordinated hostile information campaign.
Read: Asif says evidence links India to BLA attacks in Balochistan
Addressing a press conference, Bugti said intelligence agencies had advance information about the planned attacks, leading to pre-emptive operations a day earlier in areas including northeastern Quetta, Panjgur and Sherani.
“We had intelligence reports that this was being planned, so we started operations the day before,” he said. “They wanted to carry out similar attacks, especially in the north-eastern areas of Quetta, which is why such an attack did not take place there.”
He said forces remained alert in other parts of the province where incidents later occurred, adding that more than 5,800 intelligence-based operations were conducted during the 40-hour period.
“So far we have 145 bodies. We managed to kill 145 terrorists – the highest number in 40 hours,” Bugti said.
The chief minister accused terrorists of deliberately targeting civilians, including women and children. 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 said terrorists also targeted surveillance infrastructure, including Safe City cameras in Quetta, but added that the project had since been improved and expanded.
Bugti said terrorists used children as human shields during attacks in Quetta, creating difficult operational decisions for security forces. “They had an 11-year-old child with them,” he said. “Are my police going to kill an 11-year-old? They’re taking kids off the streets and using them as human shields. What option are you leaving us with?”
Read more: 92 terrorists killed, 15 security personnel martyred as attack foiled in Balochistan: ISPR
He said that no city was taken over and that daily life in most of Quetta continued as normal. “No city was taken over. I moved around Quetta myself,” he said. “Only one area was affected. The rest of the city remained normal.”
Bugti alleged that the attacks were planned from Afghan territory and carried out on the instructions of India, describing the terrorists as an Indian proxy. He said that when Pakistan is engaged on foreign fronts, such elements try to destabilize the country.
“We are a responsible state – police and army. We don’t want to be lethal,” he said. “But we won’t let them go so easily. Our blood isn’t that cheap.”
He said terrorists tried to penetrate into sensitive areas and seize important installations but failed. “They thought they were going to go into the red zone, take over important assets and create a hostage situation,” he said. “Noshki is now completely ready. It took time, but we’ve cleared it.”
According to Bugti, 17 personnel from law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Border Force, along with a naval official were killed in the attacks. At least 31 casualties were reported, with several others injured.
“Don’t call them Baloch,” he said. “Baloch are not terrorists. Terrorists are terrorists. They kill Baloch women and then exploit Baloch identity.”
“Sympathy for terrorists is very limited,” he added. “The people of Pakistan are with the state.”
