Aftermath of terrorist attacks, in Quetta
Credit: Reuters Photo
145 terrorists and 17 security personnel have been killed in Balochistan province in the last 40 hours in multiple counter terrorism operations.
This has been the highest number of terrorists killed in less than two days after security forces launched war against terror in the province, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.
As per a report by BBC, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Balochistan - a mineral rich region.
The terrorist activities were reported in and around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
What are the demands of BLA?
BLA's demand is to get independence for Balochistan. It is a region that borders Afghanistan to the north and Iran to the west.
Located in the southwest of Pakistan, Balochistan is a mineral-rich region.
BLA claims that the "federal government unfairly exploits Balochistan's rich gas and mineral resources."
As per reports, BLA says the "natural wealth belongs to its people", rejecting federal control over its resource extraction and security.
Terrorists carried out attacks in august 2024 across Balochistan. In 2025, terrorists attacked Jaffar Express passenger train after sabotaging railway tracks.
According to a Reuters report, BLA is designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States. It also mentioned that women suicide bombers were deployed to carry attacks including an attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi.
In the recent attacks, Sarfaraz Bugti said that in Pasni and Quetta, the terrorists had deployed two women bombers.
BLA targets:
The BLA targets infrastructure and security forces on Balochistan; Pakistan's Army and Chinese interests in particular the port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, accusing Beijing of helping Islamabad to exploit the province, as reported by Reuters.
Bugti told media that women and children in Gwadar were targeted, while the army mentioned killing of elderly and labourers.
Balochistan is an important part of China's $65 billion investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a wing of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative.
It is home to key mining projects, including Reko Diq, run by mining giant Barrick Gold (ABX.TO), and believed to be one of the world's largest gold and copper mines.
China also operates a gold and copper mine in the province.
(With Reuters and PTI inputs)