Reports from Al Jazeera, quoting both military and police officials, say the death toll from a series of terror attacks in the Balochistan province of Pakistan has risen to over 70. The spate of coordinated violence has left many killed, with widespread loss and destruction, and symbolizes why the region remains one of continuous deterioration.
The Pakistani military also said that it has lost 14 soldiers and police against the violence. In another serious attack, vehicles moving 21 key highway terrorists in Bela were attacked in a town in the Lasbela district. As the conflict intensifies in the area, the event highlights the importance of the transport route and underscores how recent violence has escalated.
In another horrific incident in the Musakhel district, attackers killed at least 23 civilians. According to reports, attackers stopped a convoy, looked at the identifications of the passengers inside the vehicle, and found they were from Punjab. After that, the attackers set 35 vehicles on fire, increasing the tragic death toll. And adding more chaos to an already dreadful night.
Further violence was also reported in Kalat, where an explosion hit a police post and a highway, killing about 10 people, including five policemen and five civilians. This means mindless, random attacks have been the order of the day across the province.
Besides these attacks, explosions on a rail bridge in the town of Bolan have severely disrupted rail traffic with Quetta, the provincial capital. The bridge connects Quetta with the rest of Pakistan and also by rail link to neighbor Iran. The blasts have caused significant damage and a suspension of rail services. Besides that, police also discovered the bodies of six unidentified people near the blast site. Further adding to the overall number of victims due to the terror attacks.
Balochistan is a region where violence has simmered for decades. Marked by development woes and a low-level insurgency pitting various armed groups against the state. Rights organizations condemn the Pakistani government’s response, which it says includes enforced disappearances and other forms of state repression.
The recent attacks have targeted the areas along the highway that connects Balochistan to Punjab. This violence came within days of a warning from the BLA, which had asked people to avoid the highways in the province. The BLA claimed responsibility, stating that they targeted military personnel traveling in civilian clothes. And shot them once they were identified. However, the Pakistani Interior Ministry disputed this, claiming the casualties included innocent civilians.
Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have condemned the Musakhel attack as “barbaric” . And vowed that those behind the attacks will not go unpunished. Uzma Bukhari, the Punjab provincial government spokesperson, showed concern against the attacks. Calling the Balochistan provincial government to flush out BLA terrorists with full force.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has promised to bring the culprits behind the attacks to justice. The security forces have killed 12 rebel fighters across the province during the last 24 hours in retaliation.
The latest wave of Balochistan attacks has a familiar echo to previous violence the BLA claimed responsibility for. Including the killing of seven barbers in Gwadar in May and the abductions and killings from a highway back in April. Along with other armed groups in the resource-rich but economically deprived province. The BLA has secessionist aims and often targets laborers from Punjab who go into the area to seek work.
These unabated attacks and continuing conflict underline the dire need for a comprehensive response. So to root out the problems underlying Balochistan and restore stability in the region.
ANI
