15 security personnel, 11 civilians also martyred while nearly 60 injured in clashes with militants, official said 

By Our Correspondent

Quetta, PAKISTAN - Pakistani security forces on Saturday foiled a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks across Balochistan, killing dozens of militants after assaults were launched at more than 12 locations, including Quetta, Noshki, Dalbandin, Pasni, and Gwadar, security sources said.

According to officials, militants belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan (BLA) carried out near-simultaneous attacks in the early hours of the morning, targeting markets, police stations, security force installations, and other public locations.

Pakistan’s armed forces, the Frontier Corps (FC), and Balochistan Police responded swiftly, neutralizing 67 terrorists during Saturday’s operations, officials said.

A suicide bombing was also reported in Quetta, targeting civilians. At least 11 civilians, including five women and three children, were killed in the blast, according to officials.

Security officials said the attackers were in continuous contact with handlers based in Afghanistan during the assaults. In total, 15 security personnel were martyred, while nearly 60 others civilians and security personnel sustained injuries in the clashes.

"Terrorist carried out attacks on markets, hospitals, police stations, security forces installations and other public places," a security official said.

In a broader crackdown over the past two days, authorities said another 41 militants were killed on Friday, bringing the total number of terrorists eliminated in 48 hours to 108 across Balochistan.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos in parts of Quetta following the attacks. “I saw many terrorists lying on the roads after they attacked a police station,” one eyewitness told The South Asiaa Times.

“People dragged some of the bodies because they are angry at these terrorists who destroyed our peace,” a eye witness said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday confirmed that coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out at 12 locations across Balochistan, including Quetta, Noshki, Dalbandin, Pasni and Gwadar, according to an official statement.

He praised the security forces for foiling the attacks, commending their professionalism and unwavering resolve in safeguarding the country.

The prime minister paid tribute to the security personnel who embraced martyrdom during the operations, offered prayers for the fallen and their families, and said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan’s armed forces in the fight against terrorism.

- Rising Militancy and Regional Tensions

The latest violence comes amid a sharp rise in militant attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent years. Groups including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have repeatedly targeted civilians and security forces, striking markets, hospitals, schools, police stations, and military facilities, according to security sources.

Islamabad has repeatedly warned Kabul to prevent Afghan soil from being used for cross-border attacks, saying both the BLA and TTP operate bases inside Afghanistan. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of failing to act against these groups despite repeated assurances to the international community.

On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called on Afghan Taliban to prevent their territory from being used to support terrorist attacks in Pakistan, highlighting concerns over the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist groups.

Tensions escalated further in October, when clashes between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters along the border reportedly left dozens dead. Following the incidents, Pakistan closed all major border crossings, suspending trade and movement between the two countries.

- Allegations of Foreign Sponsorship

Pakistan always accused India of sponsoring the BLA,  as New Delhi uses militant groups such as the BLA and TTP as proxies to destabilize the region.

Saturday’s coordinated attacks, officials said, were aimed at creating widespread fear and disruption but were thwarted due to what they described as timely intelligence and rapid response by security forces.

No official statement from the Pakistan military had been released at the time of publication, but security operations across sensitive districts of Balochistan remain ongoing as authorities continue to search for any remaining suspects.