CM calls it one of the biggest anti-terror actions as forces foil coordinated attacks.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti speaking at a press conference. PHOTO: SCREEN RECORDING/PTV
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday said at least 145 terrorists were killed in 40 hours during intelligence-based operations across the province, calling it one of the most extensive counter-terrorism campaigns carried out in such a short period.
The comments came a day after a series of coordinated attacks in multiple locations in Balochistan. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed 92 terrorists, while 18 civilians were martyred. The military said that during the clearing operations and intense fighting, “15 brave sons of the soil, after having fought 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. Authorities say the BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed links with other anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
Security sources also claimed that Indian media and Indian-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
Addressing a press conference, Bugti said intelligence agencies had advance information about the planned attacks, prompting preventive operations a day earlier in areas such as northeast Quetta, Panjgur and Sherani.
“We had intelligence reports that this was being planned, so we started operations a day early,” he said. “They wanted to carry out similar attacks, particularly in the northeastern areas of Quetta, which is why no such attack occurred there.”
He said forces remained alert in other parts of the province where incidents subsequently occurred, adding that more than 5,800 intelligence operations were carried out during the 40-hour period.
“So far we have 145 bodies. We managed to kill 145 terrorists, the highest number in 40 hours,” Bugti said.
The prime minister accused the terrorists of deliberately targeting civilians, including women and children. Referring to an incident in Gwadar, he said that in a family work colony, five women and three children were killed despite having pleaded for their lives.
He said terrorists also attacked surveillance infrastructure, including cameras at Safe City in Quetta, but added that the project had since been improved and expanded.
Bugti said terrorists used children as human shields during the attacks in Quetta, creating difficult operational decisions for security forces. “They brought an 11-year-old boy with them,” he said. “Should my police kill an 11-year-old boy? They take children off the streets and use them as human shields. What choice do they leave us?”
Read more: 92 terrorists killed and 15 security personnel martyred as attacks thwarted across Balochistan: ISPR
He said no town was taken and daily life in most parts 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 alleged that the attacks were planned from Afghan territory and carried out on Indian instructions, and described the terrorists as Indian proxies. He said that when Pakistan participates in foreign fronts, those elements try to destabilize the country.
“We are a responsible State: police and army. We do not want to be lethal,” he said. “But we won’t let them go that easily. Our blood isn’t that cheap.”
He said the terrorists tried to enter sensitive areas and seize key facilities, but failed. “They thought they would go into the red zone, seize important assets and create a hostage situation,” he said. “Noshki is now completely clear. It took us time, but we did it.”
According to Bugti, 17 law enforcement personnel, including police and Border Corps, along with a navy officer, were killed in the attacks. At least 31 victims and several more injuries were reported.
“Don’t call them Baloch,” he said. “Baloch people 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.”
