A separatist group has claimed responsibility for the recent deadliest attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province, warning of more intense and widespread violence to come. The attacks, which occurred in southwestern Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of over 50 people, mostly civilians.
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) asserted that the attacks were carried out by 800 well-trained fighters and denied targeting civilians. The group, known for its previous attacks on security forces, has now demonstrated a higher level of organization.
Despite the violence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ruled out peace talks with the insurgents. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the insurgents could be eliminated by police forces without the need for a large-scale military operation.
Provincial chief minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed the death toll and vowed to take strong action against those responsible for the attacks. The prime minister highlighted that the attacks aimed to disrupt Chinese-funded development projects, particularly those under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Witnesses described harrowing scenes during the attacks, with gunmen stopping buses and targeting specific individuals. The incidents underscore the ongoing challenges faced in Balochistan, where separatist groups have long demanded independence from the central government.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's army reported a separate operation in the country's northwest, where 25 militants were killed in recent days. The clashes in Khyber district near the Afghan border also resulted in the deaths of four soldiers.
