Balochistan CM Bugti confirms killing of 145 terrorists in 40 hours

2026-02-01 - 10:56

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has confirmed the killing of at least 145 terrorists following coordinated attacks by BLA across 12 towns in Balochistan over the last 40 hours. Addressing a press conference in Quetta on Sunday, he also confirmed the martyrdom of 17 security personnel and 31 civilians during the attacks. India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan carried out multiple attacks targeting civilians in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni. The authorities launched operations a day earlier on receiving intelligence reports about the planned terrorist attacks. Sarfraz Bugti said that terrorists in Gwadar had martyred five women and three children. The slain Baloch family belonged to Khuzdar, he said while condemning hostile elements for trying to destabilise Pakistan at the behest of India. He raised the question of whether the BLA was a registered political party with which negotiations could be held. The CM said that the BLA desired to impose its ideology through the use of guns and reiterated that the government was not prepared to surrender even for a second. He said that the terrorists could not take even a single inch of the country. He vowed not to allow perpetrators to escape, saying that the land would be turned into hell for terrorists. Referring to the operations, he stated that these were small and targeted. He reiterated the resolve to take the province towards peace. He said the government would fulfil the responsibility of taking care of the children of martyrs. He said that the forces thwarted the terrorists’ plan to penetrate the Red Zone. He dispelled the impression of using large-scale force in Balochistan, saying the actions were limited and intelligence-based. He said the government engages people through dialogue and jirgas and once again stressed that Balochistan would be taken towards peace. He described the province as a conflict zone where Pakistan was fighting India’s proxy networks and reaffirmed the resolve to continue the fight against terrorism. He revealed that militants had also targeted CCTV cameras in Quetta. “We will install CCTV cameras in eight cities to strengthen surveillance,” he said. Sarfraz Bugti praised the bravery of security personnel who foiled the terrorists’ attempt to enter the Red Zone. He announced conferring a high state award on an injured officer. He also announced continuing intelligence-based operations and dragging terrorists out of their hideouts. Rejecting attempts to link terrorism and violence solely with deprivation, he said terrorists merge into civilian populations, making operations extremely sensitive. He added that authorities could have eliminated militants with heavy firepower, including mortars, but refrained from doing so to avoid civilian casualties. Terrorists often blend in with civilians, he said, adding that the state did not want to become brutal like them. He said that a Baloch family was targeted and killed in a labour colony in Gwadar. “Yesterday, I myself moved around Quetta. At one or two places, they even brought 11-year-old children with them. Children were used as human shields,” he said. Referring to reports, he said that Afghan nationals were operating alongside the terrorists. He said that weapons from the Afghanistan war were openly circulating in the market. He said that Bashir Zeb, Rehman Gul and Allah Nazar are in Afghanistan. He, however, said that terrorists have no nationality or tribal affiliation. He criticised the state’s previous reconciliation policy, calling it harmful. “What kind of Baloch identity is this, where banks, motorcycles and people are robbed?” he raised the question. He said that the government had a clear solution, which was to bring militants to justice. Referring to the National Action Plan, he said that it was the most important document after the Constitution of Pakistan.