The air in Balochistan, Pakistan, carries the scent of ammunition as the region reels from a recent confrontation. The roar of Baloch rebels on Saturday left Balochistan unsettled. However, Pakistan swiftly launched a retaliatory operation, resulting in over 200 deaths thus far.
In a forceful 40-hour response to the Baloch attacks, Pakistani security forces have reportedly caused the deaths of 200 individuals. These include 31 civilians, 17 security personnel, and 145 fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), with over 100 casualties occurring on Saturday alone according to military officials.
Sarfraz Bugti, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, disclosed in a press conference in the capital, Quetta, that the fatalities include those killed in raids on Friday and Saturday, alongside people lost in combing operations. This marks one of the highest tolls in Pakistan's ongoing fight against terrorism.
The attack by Baloch insurgents initially targeted several districts simultaneously, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, prompting a large-scale response from the military, police, and counter-terrorism units.
Without providing evidence, Pakistani military officials accused India of sponsoring the attacks a day earlier. Khawaja Asif, Pakistan's Defence Minister, reiterated these claims, suggesting the attackers are linked to India.
India Responds to Pakistan's Allegations
India has firmly rejected Pakistan's unfounded accusations. In a stern statement, Ranndhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, labeled these claims as a distraction from Pakistan's internal failures.
Jaiswal added that instead of reiterating baseless accusations after each violent incident, Pakistan should focus on addressing the longstanding demands of its populace in the region. He also highlighted Pakistan's known record of oppression, brutality, and human rights violations.
The BLA announced on Saturday that it had initiated the second phase of 'Operation Herof', which targets security personnel. This declaration followed the military's claim of killing 41 insurgents in two separate operations.
The group's spokesperson, under the alias Jeeyand Baloch, claimed the insurgents took control of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) headquarters in Noshki and devastated a Frontier Corps unit, resulting in the deaths of Pakistani soldiers. In other locations, insurgents reportedly freed at least 30 prisoners from a district jail while seizing weapons and ammunition.
Security forces continued search operations in the affected areas on Sunday, sealing around a dozen locations. Mobile internet services have been suspended for more than 24 hours throughout the province. Road traffic is disrupted, and train services have been suspended. Typically bustling, Quetta appeared almost deserted after the explosions. Main roads and markets have been closed, and fear has confined people to their homes.
