Source The Hindu
QUETTA, Pakistan — In one of the most significant security flare-ups in recent years, Pakistani security forces have killed at least 145 militants following a wave of coordinated attacks across the restive province of Balochistan.
The provincial Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, confirmed the figures during a press conference in Quetta on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The fatalities occurred during an intensive 40-hour operation launched in response to synchronized assaults that targeted multiple districts across the region.
A Weekend of Escalation
The violence erupted early Saturday morning when insurgents from the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched a large-scale operation they dubbed “Herof” (Black Storm). The militants targeted security installations, police stations, and civilian infrastructure in at least 12 different locations, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Nushki.
The toll of the violence has been heavy on all sides:
Militants Killed: 145
Civilians Killed: 31
Security Personnel Killed: 17
According to military statements, the militants utilized suicide bombers, grenades, and automatic weapons. In some areas, attackers attempted to seize control of government buildings and high-security prisons, while rail services were suspended after tracks were damaged by explosives.
The Military Response
Pakistan’s military, supported by police and counter-terrorism units, responded with what analysts describe as the deadliest day for militants in decades. Clearance operations involved heavy engagements in urban centers and remote mountainous hideouts.
Chief Minister Bugti stated that the sheer number of neutralized insurgents reflects the “unprecedented” scale of the threat, adding that “this is the highest number of militants killed in such a short span since the insurgency intensified.”
Geopolitical Tensions
The Pakistani government has alleged that the attacks were orchestrated with external support. Both Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and military spokespeople claimed that the attackers were “Indian-sponsored.”
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has categorically rejected these claims, calling them “baseless” and an attempt by Islamabad to deflect from internal security failures.
Context of the Conflict
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but most sparsely populated province, has been the site of a decades-long insurgency. Separatist groups like the BLA demand a greater share of the province’s vast mineral and gas resources, frequently targeting state infrastructure and security forces.
As of Sunday evening, security forces remain on high alert, and hospitals in several districts are operating under emergency protocols as combing operations continue.
