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2026 Balochistan attacks

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2026 Balochistan attacks
Part of the insurgency in Balochistan
Date29 January 2026 (2026-01-29) – 2 February 2026 (2026-02-02)
Location
Balochistan, Pakistan
Territorial
changes
  • The BLA occupied the town of Nushki in Balochistan for three days before being driven out[1]
Belligerents
Balochistan Liberation Army Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Bashir Zaib
Units involved
Strength
Estimated 200–300 militants (according to provincial government estimates)[3] Unknown
Casualties and losses

Per Pakistani government:

BLA claim:

  • 18 fighters killed[8]

Per Pakistani government:

BLA claim:

  • 84–280 security personnel killed[9]
36 civilians killed[5][6][7][11]

In late January and early Feburary, in a series of coordinated attacks across multiple districts in Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants engaged in armed assaults and suicide bombings targeting security installations, police stations, a high-security prison, and civilian areas. These attacks occurred amid an ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, in which separatist groups are seeking greater autonomy or independence from Pakistan.

Pakistani security forces responded with large-scale counter-operations across the province, stating that the operations resulted in death of at least 216 militants, and 22 security personnel.[4] Around 31 civilians were also killed in the attacks carried out by militants associated with BLA.[10][12][13] The attacks were widely condemned by China,[14] France,[15] Turkey,[16] the US Embassy,[17] and the UNSC.[10] The attacks were also described as among the deadliest incidents in Balochistan in recent years.[5][6][7]

The Pakistani Taliban are also believed to have coordinated with the Baloch Liberation Army during the attacks.[citation needed]

Background

[edit]
Main article: Insurgency in Balochistan

Balochistan has been the site of a protracted insurgency since the late 1940's,[18] with Baloch groups accusing the Pakistani government of exploiting the province's natural resources while marginalising local populations.[7] The Balochistan Liberation Army, designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the United States, and the European Union, has conducted numerous attacks on security forces and infrastructure projects — including those linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.[19]

Prior to the attacks, the insurgency escalated since late 2019. On 29 and 30 January 2026, Pakistani military operations killed 41 Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants.[20] According the provincial chief minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti (via a post on X), at least 700 insurgents were killed by security forces in 2025 alone.[21]

Attacks

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The militant attacks of 30 January 2026, began around 03:00 PKT and spanned at least nine districts, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Nushki, Pasni, and Kharan.[7][22] According to Pakistani security officials, the attacks instead began at 04:00 am on Saturday with suicide blasts in Nushki and Pasni.[23] Militants used guns, grenades, and suicide vests to target police stations, paramilitary outposts, a high-security prison in Quetta, and civilian vehicles.[24][23] In Quetta, militants stormed multiple police facilities, leading to prolonged gun battles.[19] Suicide bombings were reported in Mastung, Gwadar, Kharan, and Nushki. In Gwadar and Kharan, civilians were among those killed during the clashes.[25] Pakistani security forces engaged in a three-day battle to retake Nushki from BLA forces, with local police stating that Pakistani personnel employed drones and helicopters to recover the town.[26] During the attacks, Baloch militants targeted non-Balochi civilians, a prison, police stations and paramilitary bases.[21] The BLA seized six administrative offices during the battle of Nushki and were at one point within 1 km (3,300 ft) of Quetta.[27]

The BLA labelled the attacks "Operation Herof 2.0," as a follow up to the August 2024 Balochistan attacks (which it labels Operation Herof), and described the operations as simultaneous strikes on military and administrative targets, with videos released by the group showing female fighters participating.[19] By 1 February, Pakistani officials reported that security forces had thwarted most attempts, engaging in clearance operations that lasted into the following day till 2 February.[22]

Casualties and aftermath

[edit]

Initial reports varied, but by 1 February, official figures confirmed 17 security personnel and 31 civilians killed, with an unspecified number injured.[7][25] 177 militants were killed during the counter-operations, bringing the total death toll to 225.[5][24][22][2] BLA claimed to have killed 280 security personnel and taken 18 security personnel prisoner. However, BLA provided no proof to back their claims.[9] It also claimed that 18 of its fighters were killed. Khuzdar residents claimed to have witnessed BLA capturing seven members of the security forces.[8] The group later released Nushki Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Hussain Hazara and Assistant Commissioner Maria Shamaoon, who had been taken into custody earlier.[28]

According to Pakistani security officials, multiple attacks were attempted and carried out in Quetta, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kalat, Gwadar, Pasni, Tump and Mastung, stating that clearance operations were continuing in areas affected by the attacks.[29]

In Mastung, Kalat and Pasni, government buildings and security installations were targeted by militants and insurgents.[29]

In Pasni, five BLA militants and at least one guard were killed during an attack on a Maritime Security Agency post by militants, which resulted in a standoff.[8][29] Also in Pasni, an attack on a post of the Pakistan Coast Guards was repelled, during which eight militants of BLA were killed.[29] According to the Balochistan police, militants tried to abduct passengers in Pasni and Gwadar who were travelling on buses along highways.[30] Militants also fired at a Pakistan Coast Guards facility in Pasni, resulting in no casualties (including death and injuries).[31]

A labourers’ colony in Gwadar was also attacked by insurgents.[31]

In Mastung, gunfire and explosions injured several people, including a police officer and at least 30 prisoners were freed from a prison.[8][29]

In Kalat, clashes reportedly took place near the District Collector headquarters and police stations.[29]

In Quetta's red zone, police personnel including a deputy superintendent were killed.[8] On Quetta’s Saryab Road, armed gunmen opened fire on a moving police van. The policemen retaliated with gunfire, and paramilitary Frontier Corpsmen also joined the gunfight later on. Four of the attacking insurgents were killed during the exchange of gunshots and the area was soon after secured by security forces.[32]

Section 144 was imposed across Balochistan for one month, citing the overall "law-and-order situation." Authorities banned vehicles with tinted windows and prohibited gatherings of five or more people, including political or religious processions without approval from the relevant district administration. A notification warned that violators would face legal action under Section 188 including imprisonment of up to six months.[33] Due to the attacks and fragile security situation, mobile data services were suspended for some time in Quetta and internet services in general were temporarily shut in other parts of Balochistan.[34][29]

According to Pakistani authorities, at least 133 insurgents and militants had been killed across Balochistan over the course of 2 days from 31 January to 1 February, with 92 militants/insurgents killed on 31 January alone. A total of 218 militants/insurgents were reportedly killed overall from 29 January to 2 February.[35][36][37] Analysts described it as the single deadliest day for Balochi insurgents in decades, due to the sheer amount of militants/insurgents killed in such a short duration of time.[21]

Reactions

[edit]

Pakistani officials condemned the attacks as attempts to undermine stability in Balochistan.[22]

International statements included condemnation of the incident and solidarity with Pakistan from Turkey,[16] Qatar,[38] United States,[17] France,[15] and China.[14][5][39][40] Members of the United Nations Security Council described the attacks as heinous and cowardly, and condemned them in the strongest terms. The UNSC also held BLA responsible for the attacks on civilians and expressed sympathies with the victims of the attack. A total of 48 Pakistani nationals were killed in the attacks which included 17 security personnel and 31 civilians according to the UNSC.[10][12][13]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pakistan sends helicopters, drones to end desert standoff; 58 dead". Reuters. 4 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b Kumar, Subodh (2 February 2026). "Baloch militant group releases photos of two suicide attackers. Both are women". India Today. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Balochistan's Numbers Game: Militancy, Mistrust, And A Crisis Of Credibility". The Friday Times. 4 February 2026. Balochistan's Chief Minister acknowledged about 200–300 separatist fighters participated in the attacks, not the higher figures reported by some outlets.
  4. ^ a b c "Security forces conclude operations after terrorist attacks in Balochistan". Express Tribune. 5 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e Zehri Shahid, Abdullah (2 February 2026). "Security forces kill 22 more terrorists in Balochistan, taking 48-hour total tally to 177". Dawn. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b c Lukiv, Jaroslaw (2 February 2026). "Deadly gun and bomb attacks hit Pakistan's Balochistan province". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Pakistani forces kill 145 fighters in Balochistan after deadly attacks". Al Jazeera. 31 January 2026. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d e Baloch, Shah Meer (1 February 2026). "Pakistan targets Balochistan separatists after 'unprecedented' assaults". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  9. ^ a b c "Pakistan sends helicopters, drones to end desert standoff; 58 dead". Reuters. 4 February 2026. The BLA, which has urged people of the province to support the movement, said on Tuesday it had killed 280 soldiers during its Operation "Herof", or Black Storm, but gave no evidence. Cite error: The named reference "Reuters 1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b c d "UN Security Council condemns deadly terror attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan". Anadolu Agency. 3 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Pakistan says it killed 145 'Indian-backed terrorists' after Balochistan attacks". South China Morning Post. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  12. ^ a b "UN Security Council condemns the latest militant attacks in Pakistan that killed dozens". The Washington Post. 4 February 2026.
  13. ^ a b "UNSC condemns Balochistan attacks". Express Tribune. 5 February 2026.
  14. ^ a b "Pakistani troops kill 92 terrorists in Balochistan province". China Daily. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  15. ^ a b "France condemns Balochistan attacks, expresses solidarity with Pakistan". Associated Press of Pakistan. 1 February 2026.
  16. ^ a b "Türkiye condemns deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province". Anadolu Agency. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  17. ^ a b "Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Balochistan". U.S. Mission Pakistan. 1 February 2026.
  18. ^ Javed, Farhat (19 January 2024). "Pakistan-Iran strikes: Where is Balochistan and why is it being targeted?". BBC. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  19. ^ a b c Emmy Sasipornkarn (31 January 2026). "Pakistan: Dozens killed in 'coordinated' Balochistan attacks". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  20. ^ "41 militants killed in Pakistan military raids in the country's southwest". AP News. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  21. ^ a b c Press, Associated (1 February 2026). "More than 120 dead after multiple suicide and gun attacks in Pakistan, officials say". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  22. ^ a b c d "Pakistan says 92 militants killed after attacks in Balochistan". Reuters. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  23. ^ a b "Pakistan forces retake Balochistan town using drones, helicopters as violence toll rises". Arab News. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  24. ^ a b Abdul Sattar; Munir Ahmed (31 January 2026). "Militants kill 33 people in multiple attacks in southwest Pakistan; 92 assailants also killed". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  25. ^ a b "More than 120 dead after multiple suicide and gun attacks in Pakistan, officials say". The Guardian. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  26. ^ Ahmed, Saleem; Shahzad, Asif (4 February 2026). "Pakistan sends helicopters, drones to end desert standoff; 58 dead". Reuters.
  27. ^ "Pakistan regains control after deadly Baloch attacks | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  28. ^ Shahid, Saleem (2 February 2026). "No quarter for terrorists ruining Balochistan peace". Dawn. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g Khan, Sardar Hameed (30 January 2026). "58 terrorists killed, 10 security personnel martyred as attacks foiled across Balochistan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  30. ^ Press, Associated (1 February 2026). "More than 120 dead after multiple suicide and gun attacks in Pakistan, officials say". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  31. ^ a b "Security forces foil coordinated militant attacks across Balochistan". The Nation. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  32. ^ "Security forces foil coordinated militant attacks across Balochistan". The Nation. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  33. ^ Khan, Sardar Hameed (1 February 2026). "Balochistan imposes month-long Section 144". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  34. ^ "Pakistan combing for perpetrators after deadly Balochistan attacks". Arab News. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  35. ^ Cite error: The named reference end2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  36. ^ Cite error: The named reference unsc12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  37. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reuters 12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  38. ^ "Qatar Condemns Attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan Province". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar). 31 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  39. ^ "Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Reveals BLA Funding from India, Vows to Eliminate Terrorists". dailyindependent. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  40. ^ "UN Security Council condemns the latest militant attacks in Pakistan that killed dozens". The Independent. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
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