ISLAMABAD: The chief minister of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province announced on Sunday that security forces had killed 145 militants in 40 hours after militant attacks in many parts of Balochistan this week, vowing that the government will continue fighting militancy.
Separatist militants launched attacks in various areas of Balochistan province on Friday and Saturday, Pakistan’s military said in an earlier statement, prompting security forces to respond. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistani forces carried out operations in Panjgur and Harnai areas on Friday to kill 41 militants.
On Saturday, it said 92 more militants were killed in Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump and Pasni areas as security forces repelled coordinated attacks on civilians and law enforcers.
Pakistan’s military said the attacks were launched by “Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan,” a reference the military frequently uses for the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militant group. The BLA also issued a statement on Saturday, saying it had launched what it called “Operation Herof 2.0,” claiming responsibility for attacks in multiple locations across Balochistan.
