Pakistan: Over 70 killed in multiple terror attacks across Balochistan

Balochistan, Pakistan: More than 70 people have lost their lives in a series of terror attacks across Balochistan province, according to reports citing military and police sources.

The attacks began with a major assault in Bela, a town in Lasbela district, where 14 soldiers and police officers were killed. During the fighting, 21 terrorists were also reported dead after they targeted vehicles on a major highway.

In a separate incident in Musakhel district, at least 23 civilians were killed when attackers stopped their convoy, checked their IDs, and identified them as being from Punjab. Additionally, 35 vehicles were set on fire.

In Kalat, an attack on a police post and a highway resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including five police officers and five civilians.

On Monday, rail traffic between Quetta and other parts of Pakistan was disrupted after blasts damaged a rail bridge in Bolan and a rail link to Iran. Police have discovered six unidentified bodies near the site of the bridge attack.

Balochistan has long been a hotbed of rebellion, with several armed groups operating in the region. Human rights organisations have criticised Pakistan's response, which includes enforced disappearances and other forms of state repression.

The attacks along the highway to Punjab followed a warning from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) for people to avoid the area. The BLA claimed responsibility for targeting military personnel disguised as civilians, although Pakistan’s Interior Ministry insists those killed were innocent civilians.

The injured have been taken to the hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan, the closest major medical facility.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the Musakhel attack as "barbaric" and vowed that the perpetrators would face justice. Uzma Bukhari, a spokesperson for the Punjab government, expressed grave concern and urged the Balochistan government to intensify efforts against BLA terrorists. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also promised that the attackers would be held accountable.

Local media reports that in the past 24 hours, security forces have killed 12 rebel fighters across the province. Previous attacks in Balochistan, including the killing of seven barbers in Gwadar in May and the abduction of several people from a highway in April, have been attributed to the BLA. This group and others in the province often target labourers from Punjab as part of their secessionist agenda.

Agencies