Balochistan Attacks Kill 42 People
Pakistan’s military has said 42 people, including security personnel and civilians, have been killed in a series of fighter attacks in Balochistan since Monday, as violence escalates in the restive southwestern province.
Balochistan Attacks Kill 42 People
Military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said the latest attacks included the killing of 18 police officers and 11 soldiers in separate incidents.
The 18 police personnel had reportedly been abducted after fighters attacked a post guarding the Mangi dam project in Ziarat district. Nine other police officers were killed during the same attack.
In a separate incident, fighters ambushed a vehicle on a Balochistan highway, killing 11 soldiers, according to the military.
Pakistan Military Reports Operations
Chaudhry said the total death toll since Monday had reached 42, including four civilians. He added that Pakistani security forces had killed 54 fighters in multiple operations.
The military warned that it would continue operations against armed groups, their facilitators and those accused of giving them shelter.
Authorities also claimed foreign involvement in the attacks, including Afghan links. Kabul has previously denied Pakistan’s allegations that Afghan territory is being used by armed groups targeting Pakistan.
Violence Escalates In Balochistan
Balochistan has faced years of separatist violence, militant attacks and security operations. The province borders Afghanistan and Iran and is Pakistan’s largest but least populated region.
Armed groups, including the banned Pakistan Taliban and Baloch separatist outfits, have targeted security forces, infrastructure projects and state-linked installations in the region.
The latest attacks are expected to deepen security concerns in Balochistan and increase pressure on Pakistan’s military and civilian authorities to contain the renewed wave of violence.
