Pakistan: Coordinated Attacks in Balochistan Kill at Least 10 Security Personnel, Dozens of Militants

Voice of Germany English, Islamabad/Quetta – January 31, 2026
At least 10 Pakistani security personnel were killed and 11 civilians lost their lives in a series of coordinated militant attacks across Balochistan province on Saturday, officials said. Security forces reported killing between 37 and 67 militants during the clashes, with claims of over 108 militants eliminated in operations over the past 48 hours.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for thwarting what he described as “Fitna al-Hindustan” – a term used by Pakistani authorities to allege Indian-backed – attacks at around 12 locations, including Quetta, Noshki, Dalbandin, Pasni, and Gwadar. He accused the assaults of being sponsored by India and vowed to continue the fight against terrorism until its complete eradication. India has repeatedly denied such allegations.
The attacks targeted military installations, police stations, jails, banks, and other government sites, with reports of explosions, gunfire, suicide bombings, and bank lootings in some areas. There were also reports of prisoners escaping from Mastung jail.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, stating that under “Operation Herof 2.0,” its fighters struck 48 sites across 14 cities, claiming to have killed 84 Pakistani security personnel and captured 18. The group disputed official casualty figures.
The incidents occur amid an ongoing separatist insurgency in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, marked by grievances over resource distribution, underdevelopment, and marginalization of the Baloch population. Pakistan accuses external actors, particularly India, of supporting Baloch separatists – claims New Delhi rejects.
The province hosts strategic sites like the Gwadar port, a key node in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Recent weeks have seen intensified security operations in the region, with internet and transport services disrupted in affected areas.
Voice of Germany has sought verification from multiple sources, but the situation remains fluid with conflicting claims from different parties. Follow our channel for the latest updates.