ISLAMABAD: In a series of unprecedented coordinated assaults early onSaturday, militants targeted multiple security installations acrossBalochistan province, resulting in the martyrdom of ten Pakistani securitypersonnel while security forces eliminated at least thirty-seven insurgentsin intense counter-operations, officials confirmed. The attacks, describedas rare in scale, involved armed assailants using guns and grenades againsta high-security prison, police stations, and paramilitary facilities,highlighting the persistent challenge of separatism in the resource-richbut insurgency-plagued region.
The assaults unfolded simultaneously at more than a dozen locations,primarily in districts such as Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Pasni, and Gwadar,catching authorities amid heightened tensions following recent militaryraids. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that ten security officerslost their lives in the engagements, with several others sustaininginjuries during the fierce exchanges of fire that ensued after the initialstrikes.
One of the most significant targets was a high-security prison in Mastungdistrict, where militants succeeded in freeing over thirty inmates amid thechaos before security reinforcements arrived. Police sources indicated thatthe prison breach formed part of a broader strategy to disrupt lawenforcement and create diversions across the province, though most otherattempts were effectively repelled by rapid response teams from the army,Frontier Corps, and local police.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an outlawed separatist group designatedas a terrorist organization by Pakistan, promptly claimed responsibilityfor the operation, which it termed a coordinated effort against statesymbols of oppression in the province. The BLA’s statement emphasizedtargeting security forces and installations, reflecting ongoing grievancesover resource exploitation, political marginalization, and alleged humanrights violations in Balochistan.
Security officials praised the swift and decisive action by personnel onthe ground, noting that the coordinated nature of the attacks was thwartedthrough preemptive alertness and intense firefights. Provincial governmentspokesman Shahid Rind reported that operations continued into the day, withsecurity forces killing additional militants, bringing the total insurgentcasualties in recent days to higher figures amid follow-up actions.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of escalating violence inBalochistan, where separatist groups have intensified operations in recentmonths, often clashing with security forces over issues of autonomy anddevelopment projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Authoritieshave frequently attributed such militancy to external interference, thoughindependent verification remains limited in the remote areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks in strong terms,extending condolences to the families of the fallen personnel and vowingthat the state would not yield to terrorism. He commended the bravery ofthe security forces, including the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, andBalochistan police, for their role in neutralizing the threats andpreventing greater damage to civilian and state infrastructure.
Hospital emergencies were declared across affected areas as medical teamstreated the injured from both sides, underscoring the human cost of theclashes. Reports indicated several security personnel required urgent carefollowing grenade explosions and direct gunfire during the defense ofinstallations.
This wave of violence follows closely on intelligence-based operationsearlier in the week, where security forces claimed to have eliminateddozens of militants in hideouts across Harnai and Panjgur districts. Thoseraids reportedly disrupted militant networks, potentially prompting theretaliatory assaults as a show of force by insurgent elements.
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Analysts observe that such large-scale coordinated attacks remain uncommon,even in a province long afflicted by low-intensity conflict. The ability ofmilitants to strike multiple high-value targets simultaneously suggestsimproved organizational capacity within separatist factions, posing renewedquestions about intelligence gathering and border security in the regionbordering Afghanistan and Iran.
Pakistan’s response is expected to include intensified counter-insurgencymeasures, with officials signaling no let-up in operations to dismantlemilitant hideouts and prevent future incursions. The government hasreiterated its commitment to addressing root causes through developmentinitiatives while maintaining a firm stance against armed separatism.
The deaths of the ten security personnel add to the mounting toll inBalochistan’s protracted insurgency, where both sides have sufferedcasualties in recurring cycles of attack and retaliation. Families of themartyred officers have begun receiving official tributes, as nationalmourning rituals highlight the sacrifices made in preserving territorialintegrity.
Broader implications for regional stability remain under scrutiny, aspersistent unrest in Balochistan could impact strategic projects andcross-border relations. Authorities continue to monitor the situationclosely, with reinforcements deployed to vulnerable sites to deter anyfollow-on attempts.
Source:https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/coordinated-attacks-pakistan-kill-10-security-personnel-dozens-129729961
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