In a series of deadly incidents across Balochistan, at least 40 people were killed in separate shootings and grenade attacks on Monday, according to official reports. Security forces retaliated, eliminating 21 terrorists while sustaining multiple casualties among their ranks.
The violence began early Monday morning in Musakhail district, where 23 passengers were brutally killed after being offloaded from trucks and buses by armed men. The attackers checked their identities before opening fire, a local official reported.
Late Sunday night, coordinated assaults targeted Levies and police stations in Mastung, Kalat, Pasni, and Suntsar, resulting in numerous fatalities. Explosions and grenade attacks were also reported in Sibi, Panjgur, Turbat, Bela, and Quetta. Among the attacks was the destruction of a railway track connecting Pakistan and Iran near Mastung.
The most significant loss of life occurred in the Kalat district, where 11 people, including security personnel, were killed, and six others were injured, according to Kalat Superintendent of Police (SP) Dostain Dashti. The attackers ransacked police stations, set vehicles on fire, and clashed with law enforcement agencies across several locations.
In Bolan district, the bodies of six people were discovered, all reportedly shot dead during the night, as confirmed by Kachhi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dost Mohammad Bugti. The victims’ identities are still being determined.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most active militant group in the region, claimed responsibility for the Musakhail attack, marking one of the deadliest incidents in recent years.
In response to the violence, security forces launched clearance operations, killing 21 terrorists, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). However, the operations also resulted in the martyrdom of 14 soldiers, including 10 from the security forces and four from law enforcement agencies.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attacks, describing them as a conspiracy to destabilize Pakistan. He vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and assured the public that effective steps are being taken to restore law and order in Balochistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the violence, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives and paying tribute to the martyred security personnel. Both leaders called for thorough investigations into the attacks and reiterated their commitment to eradicating terrorism from the region.
This latest wave of violence is the second major attack of its kind this year, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan, where militant attacks have claimed numerous lives over the past years.
