Pakistan: Deadly Militant Attacks in Balochistan Leave Over 70 Dead

At least 73 people have been killed in a series of coordinated attacks by separatist militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, marking one of the most widespread assaults in years, Reuters reported yesterday.

The violence, which occurred on August 26, targeted police stations, railway lines, and highways, prompting retaliatory operations from security forces.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attacks as a calculated effort to instigate chaos in the country. The death toll includes 14 soldiers and police, 21 militants, and 38 civilians, many of whom were shot after being pulled from vehicles along a major highway. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the operation, which they dubbed “Haruf,” involving multiple suicide bombers.

Rail traffic with Quetta has been suspended following blasts on a crucial rail bridge, and police have discovered unidentified bodies near the attack sites. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced plans for increased intelligence operations and hinted at restricting mobile data services to disrupt militant coordination.

The BLA, advocating for Baloch independence and opposing foreign exploitation of local resources, has previously targeted Chinese interests in the region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to bring those responsible to justice as the violence escalates.