Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday expressed strong support for Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s counterterrorism efforts, following a series of deadly attacks in the province that claimed at least 50 lives, including 14 security personnel.
The attacks, which took place late Sunday night, were carried out by militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group. The militants targeted both security forces and civilians, particularly those from Punjab, launching coordinated assaults across the province, including attacks on police stations, railway tracks, and the destruction of nearly three dozen vehicles.
Speaking alongside CM Bugti in Quetta, Naqvi emphasized the federal government’s commitment to backing Balochistan’s leadership. “My purpose in visiting is to assure the people of Balochistan that the federal interior minister stands firmly behind the Balochistan chief minister,” Naqvi stated, adding that the federal government would fully support any decisions made by Bugti.
In one of the most horrific incidents, militants in Musakhail killed 23 people after checking their ID documents. Other attacks included an assault on a police station in Khadkocha, which left Levies officials held hostage, and a series of attacks in Kalat that resulted in 11 deaths and nine injuries. Additionally, six bodies were found in Bolan’s Kolpur area, believed to have been shot by militants. In response, security forces neutralized 21 militants, with both Bugti and Naqvi vowing to eliminate terrorism in the province.
Naqvi highlighted the federal government’s concern for Balochistan, noting that the president, prime minister, and army chief are all working towards a solution. Despite a scheduled federal cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed Naqvi to visit Balochistan to address the situation directly.
The interior minister reiterated that the federal government would provide CM Bugti with any necessary support, stressing that “there is full support from the federation.” He condemned the recent attacks as “absolutely intolerable,” promising that such incidents would not go unanswered.
CM Bugti, addressing the challenges posed by Balochistan’s terrain and the strategies employed by terrorists, assured that the hunt for militants was ongoing. He emphasized the difficulty in identifying potential threats among civilians and the tactical advantage militants gain from the province’s vast and challenging landscape.
Naqvi also noted that the government was forming an action plan to engage in talks with Balochistan’s political leadership, distinguishing between discontented locals and terrorists who must be dealt with accordingly.
In a separate address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged a unified and resolute approach to combating terrorism, stating that there was “no room for any weakness.” He emphasized the importance of identifying and confronting the country’s enemies with full national unity.
