Deadliest Counter-Operation in Decades: 145 Militants Killed in Balochistan

Pakistani security forces say they have killed at least 145 fighters in Balochistan after launching a large-scale manhunt in response to coordinated gun and bomb attacks that killed nearly 50 people across the province.

The attacks, which began early Saturday at multiple locations in southwestern Balochistan, left 31 civilians — including five women — and 17 security personnel dead. The banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility.

Following the violence, authorities imposed strict security measures across the province, including bans on public gatherings, demonstrations, face coverings in public spaces, and restrictions on traffic movement, according to local media.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said troops and police responded swiftly, killing 145 members of what the government refers to as “Fitna al-Hindustan,” its term for the BLA. He described the toll as the highest number of fighters killed in such operations in decades.

Bugti said the bodies of those killed were in state custody and claimed some were Afghan nationals. He also alleged that the attackers, whom he described as “Indian-backed,” had planned to take hostages but were stopped before reaching city centres.

Pakistan’s military reported that 92 fighters were killed on Saturday and 41 on Friday, adding that intelligence-led pre-operations had begun a day before the attacks. Bugti further accused Afghanistan of providing support and shelter to senior BLA leaders.