Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, recently witnessed one of its deadliest security flare-ups in years. Following a series of coordinated attacks by militants, Pakistani security forces launched a massive counter-operation, killing an astonishing 145 militants within just 40 hours. This fierce response comes after the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the assaults, dubbed operation “Herof” or “black storm,” targeting security forces in multiple districts including Quetta and Gwadar.
The tragic violence also claimed the lives of 17 brave law enforcement personnel and 31 civilians, highlighting the brutal cost of the conflict. Hospitals across the province were placed on emergency alert as the army, police, and counterterrorism units moved swiftly to conduct large-scale clearance operations. Despite the intensity, security forces successfully repelled attempts by militants to seize any major city or strategic installation, though emergency measures and operations remain ongoing.
Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been a hotbed of unrest. Ethnic Baloch separatists have waged a decades-long insurgency, demanding greater autonomy and a larger share of the region’s vast natural resources. This latest surge in militant activity resulted in the highest number of militant casualties in such a short period since the insurgency intensified.
Amidst the intense fighting, Pakistan’s military accused “Indian-sponsored militants” of orchestrating the attacks. India, however, swiftly denied these allegations as “baseless,” urging Islamabad to address the “long-standing demands of its people in the region.” The situation remains tense as security forces work to restore peace in a province grappling with complex challenges, including threats from other Islamist militant factions.
