Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday reaffirmed the government’s determination to eradicate terrorism from the province, revealing that 145 militants were killed within 40 hours following a wave of coordinated attacks across Balochistan.
According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), militants belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan launched multiple assaults across the province on Saturday. Security forces responded swiftly, killing 92 terrorists during counter-operations.
The state has officially designated Balochistan-based militant outfits as Fitna-al-Hindustan to underscore what it describes as India’s alleged involvement in sponsoring terrorism and destabilisation efforts in Pakistan.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, CM Bugti said the bodies of all 145 slain militants were now in the custody of authorities, calling it the highest number of terrorists eliminated in such a short period since Pakistan’s war on terror began.
He said 17 security personnel, including members of the police, Frontier Corps and one Navy official, embraced martyrdom, while 31 civilians were affected, including those injured in the attacks.
Earlier, ISPR had reported that 15 security personnel were martyred and 18 civilians — including women and children — lost their lives during the attacks. CM Bugti expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and assured them that the state would take responsibility for the welfare of the martyrs’ children.
The chief minister disclosed that intelligence agencies had prior warnings of the planned assaults. “Based on this intelligence, pre-emptive operations were launched a day earlier in Shaban and Panjgur, where around 40 militants were neutralised,” he said.
He added that the attackers had intended to move toward Quetta from Shaban, but security forces remained on high alert and thwarted the plan.
CM Bugti described the Gwadar incident as the most distressing, stating that five women and three children were killed in the attack.
Criticising separatist narratives, he questioned claims of independence, saying militants had failed to even capture a union council or ward, yet continued to exploit the Baloch cause. He alleged the violence was being carried out on India’s instructions, especially whenever Pakistan shows economic or diplomatic progress.
He further revealed that militants had planned to breach the Red Zone and seize key installations, but their attempt was foiled. “Only in Nushki did disengagement take slightly longer, but the area is now fully cleared,” he confirmed.
Ongoing search, trace and combing operations are continuing across the province, Bugti said, vowing that the militants would not be allowed to escape.
The chief minister also rejected efforts to portray terrorism as a political issue, questioning calls for dialogue with militant groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
“Is the BLA a registered political party that negotiations should be held with them?” he asked, accusing the group of trying to impose its ideology through violence and dragging the Baloch people into a destructive conflict.
He warned that justifying violence under the guise of ethno-nationalism amounted to direct support for terrorism. Dismissing suggestions of surrender through dialogue, Bugti said the state would continue fighting, regardless of how long it takes.
“We are not prepared to surrender, even for a moment. They can launch a thousand attacks, but they cannot take even an inch of this country,” he asserted, adding that Pakistan was not meant to be divided and that such efforts would ultimately fail.
CM Bugti also accused certain tribal figures and social media platforms of being used to alienate youth from the state, stressing that the government would intensify engagement with young people and strengthen ties with the public.