At least 92 people were killed across the southwestern province of Balochistan, as per Pakistani military announcement this past weekend. Per their account, the dozens of “militants” that died amid the spate of attacks in multiple cities were battling Pakistan’s security forces.
The rebel clashes also resulted in the deaths of at least 15 civilians and 18 security personnel. “The terrorists… launched coordinated attacks this morning at more than 12 locations,” AFP quoted a senior security official based in Quetta.
“The coordinated gun and suicide attacks are being carried out across Balochistan, mainly in Quetta, Pasni, Mastung, Nushki and Gwadar districts.”
The military eventually said it responded to rebel groups by launching “clearance” operations across the Pakistani province.
Baloch separatists claim responsibility for attacks
The deaths of at least 92 rebels followed the banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claiming responsibility for Saturday’s attacks.
The BLA maintained that it had killed 84 Pakistani security personnel, adding that the ongoing operation continued for 15 hours, as per Reuters.
The rebel group further claimed that its goal was to target military installations and police and civil administration officials. With the BLA previously declaring its plans to launch a news phase to “protect the motherland,” the second phase of the ongoing attacks have since been labelled as “Operation Herof,” as per ANI.
The BLA has accused the federal government of exploiting rich mineral resources of the country’s largest province without benefiting the local population.
Pakistan holds India responsible for Balochistan attacks
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed on Saturday that India was responsible for the attacks in Balochistan. Speaking to the media alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, he said, “These were not normal terrorists. India is behind these attacks. I can tell you for sure that India planned these attacks along with these terrorists,” as per Dawn.
Branding India as being the “main country” behind terrorism, he added, “We will expose them in the world — the face with which they meet the world and the face with which they support terrorists.”
The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), also said the attacks were carried out by Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan