Defense Minister Urges Large Scale Troop Deployment in Balochistan

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said Pakistan needed to deploy a large number of troops in Balochistan due to the province’s vast geography amid the dire security situation and recent spate of attacks.

The statement comes after a series of coordinated attacks in multiple locations in Balochistan that occurred a day earlier. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed as security forces repelled attacks across the province on Saturday, while 15 security personnel were also martyred in combat.

“Terrorists from Indian-sponsored countries Fitna al-Hindustan “He attempted to disturb the peace of Balochistan by carrying out multiple terrorist activities around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni,” the ISPR said in a statement on Saturday. Security sources said today that 22 more terrorists were killed during the nighttime follow-up actions and the latest casualties brought the total number of terrorists killed in operations over the past three days to at least 177.

Speaking in the National Assembly (NA) on the issue, Asif said: “Balochistan geographically constitutes more than 40% of Pakistan… controlling it is much more difficult than a city or populated area and needs deployment of massive forces. Our troops are deployed there and are in action against them (terrorists), but they are physically handicapped by protecting and patrolling such a large area.”

The defense minister said the government has tightened enforcement of measures to curb smuggling, sparking a large protest at the Chaman border. He said some people argue the state should negotiate with nationalist movements, but claimed the protest movement was driven by business interests rather than politics or nationalism.

Asif alleged smugglers were previously earning up to Rs 4,000 crore a day from oil smuggling and said the agitation was aimed at recouping trade losses.

He also alleged that criminal groups were operating under the banner of the banned terrorist group Balochistan Liberation Army and providing protection to smugglers, saying: “In Balochistan, tribal elders, the bureaucracy and those leading separatist movements have formed a nexus.”

Asif said 177 terrorists had been killed in the last two days, while 16 security personnel and 33 civilians had been killed.

Prayers were offered for the martyrs in the recent series of terrorist attacks in today’s session and President Ayaz Sadiq also paid tribute to them.

Speaking to reporters in his hometown of Sialkot a day ago, Asif had said Pakistan’s findings showed that “all links point towards India” in the recent attacks in Balochistan claimed by the BLA.

He said the BLA “is an internationally recognized and internationally banned terrorist organisation”, adding that it seeks to maintain its visibility “to obtain foreign funding from India”. He said the group had carried out attacks against civilians, including kidnappings of civilians and government employees.

TTAP condemns terrorism in Balochistan

Hours earlier, the opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen Pakistan (TTAP) also condemned terrorism in Balochistan and expressed grief over the deaths of security personnel and civilians, calling the violence a sign of growing insecurity in the province.

In a statement on He said the scale of violence amounted to a complete failure of the provincial government and law enforcement.

“This shows how limited legislation has become in the province and that the lives and property of citizens have no protection,” the statement said.

TTAP also criticized the provincial administration, saying, “How long will we continue to turn a blind eye to the fact that a Balochistan government that lacks public support only cares about prolonging its rule, not about the lives of the people?”

He said terrorism can only be confronted by a government and a system whose “moral position” is not in doubt.

The statement adds: “So they say that free and fair elections and representative governments are the solution, not rulers and systems imposed against the will of the people.”