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China condemns deadly Balochistan attacks, reaffirms support for Pakistan

By The South Asia Times

BEIJING - China on Tuesday denounced the recent wave of attacks in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, reaffirming its support for Islamabad’s counterterrorism efforts.

Speaking at a regular briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian conveyed condolences to those affected by the violence and expressed sympathy for the wounded and the families of the victims. He said China remains firmly opposed to terrorism and will continue backing Pakistan in maintaining security, social stability, and public safety.

The remarks came as Pakistani forces pressed ahead with security operations for a fifth consecutive day after coordinated assaults struck 12 locations across the province on Saturday.

Pakistani security authorities said on Monday that at least 177 militants have been killed in ongoing operations since Friday. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has frequently targeted security personnel in the region, claimed responsibility for the attacks that left 31 civilians and 17 members of the security forces dead.

Communication services, including mobile networks and internet access, remained suspended in the provincial capital Quetta and several other districts amid the security situation.

Pakistan has experienced a sharp escalation in violence in recent weeks. Data from the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies showed combat-related fatalities rose by 43% in January compared with the previous month. The report recorded 361 deaths during the period, including 242 militants, 73 civilians, and 46 security personnel.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, is rich in natural resources and serves as a critical corridor for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship infrastructure initiative linking western China to the Arabian Sea. The region has long faced insurgency, with separatist groups demanding greater autonomy and control over local resources.