A series of violent assaults in Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan, has resulted in the deaths of more than 70 people, including civilians, soldiers, and militants. These attacks, which have intensified the region’s longstanding unrest, occurred on August 27, 2024, and were among the deadliest in recent years.
The largest attack took place in Bela, a town in Lasbela district, where militants targeted vehicles on a major highway. This attack led to a fierce battle between security forces and militants, resulting in the deaths of 14 soldiers and police officers, as well as 21 militants.
In a separate incident in Musakhel district, at least 23 civilians were killed by attackers who targeted individuals identified as being from Punjab. The attackers set fire to 35 vehicles during the assault. Additionally, in Kalat, a police post and highway were attacked, leading to the deaths of five police officers and five civilians.
The violence also disrupted rail traffic in the region, with blasts targeting a rail bridge in Bolan, cutting off Quetta from the rest of Pakistan and neighboring Iran. Six unidentified bodies were found near the site of the railway bridge attack.
ALSO READ: 2 kids, woman killed in blast at Pishin district of Balochistan
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group active in the region, claimed responsibility for some of these attacks. The group stated that their fighters targeted military personnel traveling in civilian clothes. However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and local officials have condemned the attacks, stating that the victims were innocent civilians.
The recent surge in violence has been linked to the BLA’s ongoing insurgency, which aims for the secession of Balochistan from Pakistan. The province, rich in resources but economically underdeveloped, has been the site of a simmering rebellion for years, with frequent clashes between armed groups and state security forces.
Pakistani officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, have condemned the attacks and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The government has also intensified security operations in the region, reportedly killing 12 rebel fighters in the past 24 hours.
The situation in Balochistan remains tense, with the potential for further violence as the conflict between separatist groups and the Pakistani state continues to escalate.
