- Pakistanis deserve to live free from violence, fear: Natalie Baker.
- US Charge d’Affaires condemns attacks carried out by BLA.
- Riyadh confirms the rejection of all acts of terrorism, expresses solidarity.
International condemnation has poured in following the coordinated attacks across several districts of Balochistan, which left 18 civilians and 15 security personnel martyred.
In a statement issued on Sunday, US Attorney Natalie Baker condemned the attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which targeted both security personnel and civilians.
“I express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims of terrorism, their families and all those affected. The people of Pakistan deserve to live free from violence and fear.”
“The United States remains a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure peace and stability. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan at this difficult time,” the US envoy noted.
The condemnation comes as terrorists associated with India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan (FAH) carried out several attacks targeting civilians in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies responded promptly, launching intense clearance operations across the province and killing 92 India-backed terrorists, including three suicide bombers, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said a day earlier.
The elimination of 92 terrorists has brought the total number of people killed in ongoing operations in Balochistan over the last two days to 133, following the death of 41 terrorists in two separate operations on January 29.
In Harnai district, 30 terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO), while 11 more were eliminated in Panjgur district.
Saudi Arabia confirms solidarity
Apart from the US, the Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement also condemned the terrorist attacks.
“The Kingdom reaffirms its firm rejection of all acts of terrorism and extremist acts and its solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and its security efforts to preserve its territorial integrity.”
“The Kingdom also expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and to the government and people of Pakistan and wishes the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
‘Stand with Pakistan’, say the UK and Turkey
Moreover, Britain also condemned the attacks in Balochistan.
“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,” read the statement from the British High Commission on X.
Meanwhile, the Turkish embassy in a statement on X also condemned the attacks, saying: “We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attacks that took place across Pakistan’s Balochistan”.
“We wish Allah’s mercy on those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured. We will continue to stand by brotherly Pakistan in its fight against all forms of terrorism,” it noted.
‘Planned attack from India’
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who visited Quetta in the wake of the attacks, stated that the attacks were planned from India and vowed to pursue militants and their masterminds without exception.
He called it necessary for the world to know who was behind the violence, adding that India had orchestrated the attacks.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the civilian casualties in the terror attacks included a Baloch family from Khuzdar.
Train traffic is suspended
Meanwhile, train services from Quetta to other parts of Balochistan remain suspended today on the second day, the Pakistan Railways officials said.
The Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express did not leave Quetta for the second day today, whereas another Chaman-bound passenger train also did not leave for its destination, the officials added.
According to Dera Ghazi Khan Deputy Commissioner Usman Khalid, all routes from Punjab to Balochistan had also been closed.
Fort Munro highway and Taunsa-Musa Khel road leading to Balochistan are closed,” Khalid said, adding that currently passengers cannot travel to Balochistan via Dera Ghazi Khan.
Traffic has also been stopped at Buwata and Sakhi Sarwar border points, the deputy commissioner added.
