145 Militants Killed After Balochistan Attacks, Says Pak Official
Pakistan’s chief minister of Balochistan said security forces killed 145 militants within 40 hours following coordinated attacks across the province.
Pakistan’s chief minister of Balochistan said security forces killed 145 militants within 40 hours following coordinated attacks across the province.
Sarfraz Bugti told a news conference in Quetta on Sunday that the bodies of those killed were in the custody of security agencies. Pakistani media described the figure as the highest number of militants killed in such a short period since Pakistan began its campaign against militancy.
Bugti said 17 security personnel, including police, border police and a member of the Pakistan Navy, were killed in the attacks. The civilian death toll has risen to 31, he said.
Earlier, the military’s media wing said 15 security personnel and 18 civilians, including women and children, had been killed.
The separatist group known as the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Bugti said security agencies had prior intelligence and had launched preventive operations, during which about 40 militants were killed in the areas of Shaban and Panjgur.
Pakistan’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, said security in Balochistan was under control following Saturday’s attacks and that forces were carrying out clearance operations.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have condemned the attacks. The US chargé d’affaires in Pakistan said Washington stands with Pakistan in ensuring peace and stability.
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have not issued an official response or condemnation of the attacks.
