Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Sunday that security forces killed at least 145 terrorists within 40 hours during intelligence-based operations across the province. He described the action as one of the most extensive counterterrorism campaigns carried out in such a short period.
His remarks followed a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations in Balochistan a day earlier. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed 92 terrorists during the attacks and subsequent clearance operations, while 18 civilians were martyred.
ISPR said that during intense standoffs, 15 soldiers were martyred after fighting “gallantly” against the attackers.
The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, describing them as the second phase of “Operation Heroof.” The government has designated the BLA and other armed Baloch groups as “Fitna al Hindustan,” alleging they are acting as Indian proxies to destabilise Pakistan.
Officials said the BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed links with other anti-Pakistan militant groups operating from Afghan territory. Security sources also claimed that Indian media outlets and India-linked social media accounts amplified support for the group during the attacks.
Addressing a press conference, Bugti said intelligence agencies had advance information about the planned assaults. He said pre-emptive operations were launched a day earlier in areas including north-eastern Quetta, Panjgur and Sherani.
He said the early action prevented major attacks in Quetta’s north-eastern areas, adding that forces remained on high alert in other parts of the province where incidents later occurred. According to Bugti, more than 5,800 intelligence-based operations were conducted over the 40-hour period.
“So far, we have 145 bodies. We managed to kill 145 terrorists,” he said, calling it the highest number recorded in such a short timeframe.
The chief minister accused the attackers of deliberately targeting civilians, including women and children. Referring to an incident in Gwadar, he said five women and three children were killed at a family labour colony despite pleading for their lives.
Bugti said the militants also targeted surveillance infrastructure, including Safe City cameras in Quetta, but added that the system had since been improved and expanded.
He said terrorists used children as human shields during attacks in Quetta, creating difficult operational decisions for security forces. He cited an incident in which attackers brought an 11-year-old child with them.
Bugti said no city was taken over during the attacks and that daily life in most areas of Quetta continued as normal. He said only one area of the city was affected.
He alleged that the attacks were planned from Afghan territory and carried out on India’s instructions. He said such elements attempt to destabilise Pakistan when it is engaged on foreign fronts.
Bugti said the militants attempted to enter sensitive areas and seize key installations but failed. He said Noshki was completely cleared after a prolonged operation.
According to the chief minister, 17 personnel from law enforcement agencies, including police and the Frontier Corps, along with one navy official, were killed in the attacks. At least 31 casualties were reported overall, with several others injured.
“Do not call them Baloch,” Bugti said. “Baloch are not terrorists. Terrorists are terrorists.”
He added that public sympathy for the attackers was limited and said the people of Pakistan stood with the state.