At least 10 Pakistani-origin security officials have been killed in a “coordinated” attack on 12 cities in Balochistan on Saturday by armed members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan administration also killed at least 37 people in the clashes that followed, which are said to be the second phase of ‘Operation Herof’, the Baloch separatists’ offensive against the Pakistan Army.
Reports of explosions and firing began on Saturday in various cities of Pakistan’s largest province, including the capital Quetta, Nushki, Dalbandin, Pasni, and Gwadar.
The attacks were carried out using guns and suicide bombings, with visuals circulating on social media showing a large number of BLA members roaming Quetta amid the tumult.
Notably, Islamabad has designated the Balochistan-based outfits as Fitna Al Hindustan, as part of a claim that India had an alleged role in the separatists destabilising Pakistan, as per a Dawn report.
Claims have also been flying on both sides, with the Baloch separatists alleging that a number of their personnel had been killed before the Saturday attack, while Islamabad’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed that as many as 41 Baloch militants had been killed by Pakistani forces during two separate operations on Friday, as per a BBC report.
In that regard, a state of emergency has been imposed in the state of Balochistan, which has led to the highly sensitive Red Zone being sealed, while government offices, including the Civil Secretariat and courts, have all come to a standstill.
Domestic train services to and from Quetta have been suspended, including the Jaffar Express from Quetta to Peshawar, which has been stopped at Jackabad.
Internet service is also down in various parts of Quetta as helicopters are reportedly patrolling the skies over the province.
At least 10 Pakistani security officials dead after Baloch separatists attack 12 cities: What we know so far
