Balochistan | Pakistan

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday expressed the firm resolve to eliminate terrorists after a spate of coordinated attacks across the province, adding that 145 militants were killed within a span of 40 hours. The military’s media affairs wing said terrorists of Fitna-al-Hindustan carried out a spate of attacks across Balochistan on Saturday, responding to which the security forces killed 92 terrorists. The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. Addressing a press conference in Quetta on Sunday, CM Bugti said 145 terrorists were killed in 40 hours, adding that their bodies were in the custody of the authorities. “This is the highest number since Pakistan is facing this war on terror,” he highlighted. “Our 17 law enforcement people, including police and FC and one Navy personnel, were martyred, and our civilian casualties are 31, including some injured,” CM Bugti said. The I...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that the enemies of the country will never succeed in their nefarious designs, paying tribute to security forces for their actions against terrorists in Balochistan.

Key developments Interior minister says India behind the attacks; accuses country of providing support to terrorists ISPR says 92 terrorists killed; 18 civilians, 15 security personnel martyred ISPR says attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from outside Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday held India responsible for a spate of attacks in Balochistan, while the military’s media affairs said that 92 terrorists were killed as security forces responded to the onslaught. Speaking to the media alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday night, 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.” He said that authorities would go after every single one of those involved and the “masters behind them”. “We will expose them in the world — the face with which they meet the world and the face with which they support terrorists,” he said. Naqvi...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid homage to 10 security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty in Balochistan, reaffirming that the fight against terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated.

Security forces on Wednesday thwarted a series of coordinated militant attacks at multiple locations across Balochistan, killing several assailants and regaining control of the affected areas within hours, officials said.

Security forces killed 41 terrorists in intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in Balochistan’s Harnai and Panjgur districts, said the military’s media wing on Friday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out on January 29 (Thursday), in which terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan were killed. Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the term Fitna-al-Hindustan has been designated by the state for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. The military’s media wing said the presence of Fitna-al-Khawarij was reported on the outskirts of Harnai district, following which an IBO was conducted in the area. “During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the hideout, and after an intense fire exchange, 30 India-sponsored khawarij were sent to hell,” t...

Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Friday paid rich tribute to security forces for successfully conducting an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan, resulting in the elimination of 41 terrorists linked with Indian proxies.

Security forces killed 41 militants affiliated with India-backed groups Fitna al Khwarij and Fitna al Hindustan during two separate intelligence-based operations carried out in Balochistan on January 29, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

Mari Energies Limited has announced a successful gas discovery at the Tibri-1 exploratory well in the Kalchas South Block, located in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan.

Security forces killed three “Indian-sponsored terrorists” during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, the military’s media wing said in a statement on Sunday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “On January 25 (Sunday), security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur District of Balochistan, on [the] reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan.” Fitna al Hindustan is a state-designated name for the Balochistan-based terror groups allegedly supported by India to target military personnel in Pakistan. The statement said that during the conduct of the operation, the security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an “intense fire exchange, three Indian sponsored terrorists were eliminated.” Among the killed was a local terrorist commander, Farooq alias Soro, the ISPR said. “Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in n...

GILGIT/QUETTA: Four people were killed in Gilgit-Baltistan when a tower collapsed on a house following heavy snowfall in Diamer, while one person died in Balochistan after a roof caved in due to downpour in Zhob. Police said a “clock/observation tower” near a residential home in Tangir Valley in Diamer collapsed on a house, resulting in the death of four members of a family and injuries to two other members. Diamer Deputy Commissioner Ataur Rehman Kakar said heavy snowfall occurred in Tangir on Thursday, which might have caused the incident. According to police sources, the casualties could rise as the relief operation continued. The Karakoram Highway (KKH), Baltistan Road, Ghizer–Shandur Road and other roads were opened to traffic on Saturday, while link roads in various areas of the region, including Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Ghizer and Shigar, remained blocked. Met office forecasts more rain, snow in parts of country Due to the cold weather, people in Gilgit-Baltistan continued to face difficulties, which w...

Life across large parts of Balochistan has come to a standstill as an intense cold wave pushed temperatures down to as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius, freezing even running water.

The first snowfall of the winter season has triggered a sharp drop in temperatures across Quetta and several parts of northern Balochistan, with snowfall continuing in Chaman and adjoining areas.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain and snowfall in various parts of Balochistan on January 21 and 22, urging both residents and tourists to take precautionary measures.

At least 24 people were killed and over 20 were injured in two separate accidents on Saturday, as a truck fell into a dry canal in Punjab’s Sargodha district and a coach overturned near Balochistan’s Ormara tehsil. In Sargodha, six children were among 14 dead, while nine others were injured in the early hours of Saturday when a truck carrying cargo and passengers fell into a canal from the Galapur Bangla bridge due to fog, said Rescue 1122. According to Punjab Rescue 1122 officials, the truck was travelling from Islamabad to Faisalabad with 23 people on board for a funeral when the unfortunate incident took place. “Due to heavy fog, the motorway was closed, so the vehicle took a local route. In the area of Kot Momin tehsil, the truck fell from the Galapur bridge into the canal,” said a statement from Rescue 1122, adding that the truck “lost control because of poor visibility”. The Rescue 1122 statement added that the canal was dry, but passengers were stuck beneath the truck when it overturned. The injured we...

Chief Minister (CM) of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, on Saturday expressed his heartfelt condolences following a deadly accident in Gwadar, directed authorities to offer prompt medical assistance, and ensured the transportation of the victims’ bodies to their hometowns.

Security forces have killed 12 terrorists and effectively thwarted their attempt to create a hostage situation in Balochistan’s Kharan district during multiple operations, the military’s media wing said in a statement. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on January 15, “approximately fifteen to twenty Indian-sponsored terrorists of Fitna Al Hindustan carried out multiple terrorist activities in Kharan City, District Kharan.” The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. It said that during the operations, “terrorists attacked [the] City Police Station, National Bank of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited.” They also looted Rs3.4 million from the banks. “Security forces effectively responded and engaged the terrorists, prompting them to retreat. During the ensuing clearance operation, twelve terrorists were sent to hell in three different engagements,” the ISPR said. “Terrori...

The Met Office has forecast snowfall and rain in the country’s northern areas from Friday (tomorrow) and has also predicted showers in parts of Sindh, including Karachi, and Balochistan from January 21 to 23. The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) forecast issued on Thursday said: “A shallow westerly wave is likely to approach upper parts of the country from January 16 and may persist till January 19.” It added that the weather system was expected to strengthen from January 20 and grip most parts of the country from January 21. The PMD said that rain and thunderstorm was expected in various parts of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Naushahro Feroze, Kashmore, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas and Ghotki on January 22 and 23 with “occasional gaps”. It also predicted the same for multiple areas of Balochistan, including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Lasbell...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Balochistan continues to face serious security challenges due to terrorism, with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir leading the Pakistan Army’s efforts to counter militant threats.

The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergencies Operations Center (NEOC) has issued an alert warning of a severe cold wave affecting northern parts of the country and northern Balochistan.