Rawalpindi: The Pakistani military announced on Monday that at least 27 militants were killed in multiple intelligence-based operations conducted in the Ketch district of Balochistan province, located in the country's southwest.
In a statement, the military said the operations targeted "terrorists" involved in various attacks against security forces and civilians. The raids were based on intelligence reports and aimed at neutralizing individuals who posed a threat to public safety.
Although the military did not specify the affiliation of the killed militants, Balochistan has long been a hotspot for insurgent activities by separatist groups. These groups, advocating for the independence of Balochistan, frequently attack Pakistani military personnel and government installations.
One of the recent high-profile attacks attributed to Baloch separatists occurred on January 4, when a convoy of paramilitary troops was targeted in the Turbat district. The attack claimed the lives of at least six personnel. The convoy, traveling from Karachi to Turbat, was ambushed approximately seven kilometers from the city.
Baloch separatist groups have often claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Pakistani military forces and individuals from other provinces, particularly Punjabis. Their campaign also includes attacks on infrastructure projects, especially those funded by foreign entities like China. The separatists accuse foreign investors of exploiting Balochistan's resources while leaving the local population impoverished.
The Pakistani military's report indicates a significant escalation in violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in recent months. According to official data, 383 Pakistani soldiers and 925 militants were killed in various clashes and attacks across the country in 2024 alone.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest yet least developed province, shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran. The region has witnessed decades of violence, including sectarian, ethnic, and separatist conflicts. The Baloch insurgency primarily targets projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), accusing Beijing and Islamabad of resource exploitation.
In November 2024, a major attack claimed by Baloch militants targeted a train station in Quetta, killing 26 people, including 16 military personnel. Similarly, in August 2024, the group launched a series of coordinated attacks in Balochistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 39 individuals.
The Pakistani military continues its efforts to curb violence in the province, but the persistent unrest underscores the complexities of the conflict and the challenges of addressing grievances in the resource-rich but impoverished region.