Pakistan Launches Massive Crackdown in Balochistan, 177 Militants Killed in 48 Hours

Pakistan | Feb 2, 2026 Pakistani security forces have carried out one of their biggest counter-insurgency operations in decades, killing 177 Baloch militants within just 48 hours in the troubled Balochistan region. Officials said around two dozen militants were killed in fresh overnight raids, taking the total toll sharply higher after a wave of coordinated attacks across the province that left at least 33 people dead, most of them civilians. The operations were launched after violence erupted in multiple districts bordering Afghanistan. Police, supported by the military, have been conducting raids since early Saturday against members of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). According to officials, nearly 200 militants, operating in small groups, carried out simultaneous suicide bombings and gun attacks on police stations, civilian homes, and security installations. Analysts described the scale of militant casualties over the past two days as the highest seen in decades, underlining the intensity of the clashes. The weekend attacks, claimed by the BLA, killed at least 18 civilians and 15 security personnel, triggering strong condemnation from political leaders across Pakistan, including leaders from the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. On Monday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for killing an additional 22 insurgents and referred to those killed as “Indian-backed terrorists”, though he did not provide evidence for the claim and there was no immediate response from India. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has long faced unrest. The region is home to the ethnic Baluch community, which has accused the central government of discrimination and exploitation, fueling a separatist movement demanding independence. Islamic militant groups also operate in the area. While authorities said normal life was slowly returning on Monday, train services between Balochistan and the rest of the country remained suspended for a third day due to security concerns. The recent violence has revived memories of a March attack on the Jaffar Express, where militants killed dozens before security forces rescued passengers and killed all attackers. Pakistan Launches Massive Crackdown in Balochistan, 177 Militants Killed in 48 Hours Pakistani security forces carried out a large-scale operation in Balochistan, killing 177 militants within 48 hours, officials said on Monday. The action followed a series of coordinated attacks across the province that left at least 33 people dead, most of them civilians. Fresh overnight raids alone resulted in the killing of about two dozen militants in areas close to the Afghanistan border. The crackdown began early Saturday after nearly 200 militants, linked to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), launched suicide bombings and gun attacks on police stations, civilian houses, and security facilities. Analysts say the number of militants killed in such a short time is the highest seen in decades, showing the scale of the violence and the strong response by the security forces. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the forces for killing 22 more insurgents on Monday and described them as “Indian-backed terrorists”. However, he did not present any evidence to support the claim, and there was no immediate response from India. The attacks over the weekend killed at least 18 civilians and 15 security personnel, drawing criticism and concern from leaders across Pakistan. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has long faced unrest due to claims of discrimination by the ethnic Baluch community and demands for independence. While authorities said normal life is slowly returning, train services to and from the province remain suspended due to security fears. The BLA has carried out several such attacks in recent years, often targeting security forces and major infrastructure projects.