Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for a resolute and united approach to combat terrorism following a series of devastating attacks in Balochistan that left at least 50 people dead, including 14 security personnel.
The attacks, carried out by militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), targeted security forces and civilians, particularly those from Punjab. The militants launched a series of coordinated assaults across the province late Sunday night, attacking police stations, blowing up railway tracks, and setting fire to nearly three dozen vehicles.
During a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz emphasized the need for national unity and decisive action against the country’s enemies. “We must move forward with a resolute decision; there is no room for any kind of weakness,” he asserted.
In Musakhail, militants killed 23 people after checking their ID documents. In Khadkocha, they blocked a highway, stormed a police station, and took Levies officials hostage, later setting the premises on fire. In Kalat, attacks on a Levies station, two hotels, and a tribal elder’s residence resulted in 11 deaths and nine injuries. Six bodies were also recovered in Bolan’s Kolpur area, believed to have been shot by militants.
In subsequent operations, security forces neutralized 21 militants, as Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi vowed to eradicate terrorism from the province.
PM Shehbaz condemned the attacks, highlighting the loss of “dozens of Pakistanis” in recent days. He stressed that the sacrifices made to combat terrorism would not go in vain and emphasized the importance of continuing progress on projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which he said terrorists were trying to disrupt.
The prime minister reiterated that the government would provide the necessary financial resources to security forces, even if it meant cutting other expenditures. He also clarified that talks would only be held with those in Balochistan who acknowledged Pakistan’s Constitution and flag, ruling out any negotiations with terrorists.
China and Iran, key regional partners, condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with Pakistan. China, which has been targeted by militants in Balochistan, pledged to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan. The Iranian embassy also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and reaffirmed its stance against terrorism.
The European Union joined in condemning the attacks, with European Commission spokesperson Nabila Massrali expressing solidarity with Pakistan during this challenging time.
