People gather as others collect recyclable items next to a burned-out vehicle along a road on the outskirts of Quetta, a day after coordinated terrorist attacks in Balochistan. Photo: AFP
QUETTA:
Balochistan witnessed one of the most intense counter-terrorism operations in recent years with security forces killing at least 145 terrorists in 40 hours, foiling a wave of coordinated attacks, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Bugti described the operation as one of the largest intelligence actions carried out in such a tight time frame, following multiple assaults claimed by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
According to Inter-Services Public Relations, the terrorists launched coordinated attacks at several locations on Saturday, targeting security installations and civilian areas in Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
Security forces responded with sustained mine clearance operations and clashes, killing 92 terrorists, while 18 civilians lost their lives. The military said 15 members of the security forces “fought valiantly and embraced martyrdom” during the operations.
At the press conference, Bugti said intelligence agencies had intercepted information that the attacks were imminent, allowing pre-emptive action to begin a day earlier in northeastern Quetta, Panjgur and Sherani.
“We received intelligence reports that this was planned, so we started operations a day before,” Bugti said, adding that early intervention prevented attacks in sensitive areas in northeastern Quetta.
He said forces remained on high alert elsewhere, carrying out more than 5,800 intelligence operations in 40 hours. “So far we have 145 bodies. We have 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 while pleading for their lives.
He also revealed that terrorists had damaged surveillance infrastructure, including Safe City cameras in Quetta, although, he added, the system had since been improved and expanded to strengthen urban surveillance and response capabilities.
The chief minister said terrorists were using children as human shields during assaults in Quetta, thereby complicating operational decisions. “They brought an 11-year-old child with them. Should the police kill an 11-year-old child?” he asked.
Bugti insisted that no towns had been overrun and said daily life in most of Quetta continued uninterrupted. “No town was taken. I myself was moving around Quetta,” he explained, adding that only one locality was temporarily affected.
He claimed 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 times of regional tension.
“We are a responsible state – police and army. We do not want to be murderous,” Bugti said. “But we won’t let them go so easily. Our blood is not that cheap,” he said. Don’t call them Baloch. Baloch people are not terrorists. They kill Baloch women and then exploit the Baloch identity.
The chief minister said the terrorists tried to capture sensitive installations and create hostage situations, including in Noshki, but failed. “Noshki is now completely clear. It took a while, but we got it sorted,” he added.
According to provincial authorities, 17 members of the security forces, including the police and the Frontier Corps, as well as a navy official, were martyred. At least 31 other people were injured in the attacks.
Meanwhile, amid heightened security concerns, the Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 across the province for a period of one month, starting February 1, citing the recent attacks and the current law and order situation.
An official notification indicated that the display and use of weapons had been completely banned, including the brandishing of weapons, aerial shooting and carrying weapons in public or private spaces, all considered serious crimes.
The order also prohibits passenger riding on motorcycles, with possible exemptions for women and children under consideration, and prohibits tinted windows, unregistered vehicles and gatherings of five or more people without prior permission.
Covering the face in public with masks, mufflers or cloths was also prohibited except for medical or legitimate reasons, with violators subject to prosecution under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Police, Internal Revenue Service, the Frontier Corps and other agencies were authorized to enforce the restrictions, which officials said were necessary to protect lives, support counterterrorism efforts and prevent further incidents.
