CM calls it one of the biggest counter-terrorism actions as forces foil coordinated attacks
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti speaking at a press conference PHOTO: SCREENGRAB/PTV
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday said at least 145 terrorists were killed in 40 hours during intelligence operations across the province, terming it one of the largest anti-terrorism campaigns carried out in such a short span of time.
These remarks come a day after a series of coordinated attacks in several places in Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed 92 terrorists, while 18 civilians were martyred. The army said that during the mine clearance operations and intense clashes, “15 courageous sons of the soil, after fighting valiantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom.”
The banned 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”, alleging that 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 ties to other anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
Security sources also claimed that Indian media and India-linked social media accounts amplified 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
Speaking at a news conference, Bugti said intelligence agencies had advance information about the planned assaults, triggering preemptive operations the day before in areas including northeast Quetta, Panjgur and Sherani.
“We received intelligence reports that this was planned, so we started operations a day before,” he said. “They wanted to carry out similar attacks, especially in the northeast areas of Quetta, which is why no such attacks took place there. »
He said forces remained on alert in other parts of the province where incidents subsequently occurred and added that more than 5,800 intelligence-based operations were carried out during that 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, especially women and children. Referring to an incident in Gwadar, he said that in a family labor colony, five women and three children were killed while pleading for their lives.
He said the terrorists also targeted surveillance infrastructure, including the 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 brought an 11-year-old child with them,” he said. “Should my police kill an 11 year old child? They take children from the streets and use them as human shields. What option are you giving us?”
Learn more: 92 terrorists killed, 15 security personnel martyred as attacks foiled in Balochistan: ISPR
He said no towns had been taken and daily life in most of Quetta was continuing as normal. “No city was taken. I myself was moving around Quetta,” he said. “Only one area was affected. The rest of the city remained normal.”
Bugti claimed the attacks were planned from Afghan territory and carried out on instructions from India, describing the terrorists as an Indian proxy. He said that when Pakistan is engaged on foreign fronts, these elements try to destabilize the country.
“We are a responsible state – police and army. We do not want to be murderous,” he said. “But we won’t let them go so easily. Our blood isn’t that cheap.”
He said the terrorists attempted to enter sensitive areas and seize key 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 clear. It took a while, but we cleared him.”
According to Bugti, 17 law enforcement personnel, including the police and the Frontier Corps, as well as a navy official, were killed in the attacks. At least 31 casualties were reported, and several others were injured.
“Don’t call them Baloch,” he said. “Balochs 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.”
