“Our Blood Not Cheap”: Pakistani Forces Hunt Baloch Militants, Over 190 Dead; India Denies Involvement

Pakistani security forces continue a massive operation in Balochistan province, hunting separatists responsible for a series of deadly attacks that Islamabad has sought to blame on India—a claim New Delhi has firmly denied. Over the past two days, more than 190 people have been killed, including militants, civilians, and security personnel.

Troops were seen combing large areas a day after militants targeted banks, jails, police stations, and military installations, killing at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel, according to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. At least 145 attackers were also killed, including more than 40 militants reportedly killed on Friday.

Mobile internet across the province has remained blocked, road traffic disrupted, and train services suspended, AFP reported. “Anyone who leaves home has no certainty of returning safe and sound. There is constant fear,” said Hamdullah, a 39-year-old shopkeeper in Quetta.

The usually bustling provincial capital of Quetta has been eerily quiet, with major roads and businesses deserted as residents stay indoors amid safety concerns.

Baloch Separatist Insurgency

The Baloch separatist insurgency has persisted for decades, dating back to Pakistan’s formation after the British partition of India. Baloch groups claim their culture, language, and ethnicity are marginalized in a predominantly Punjabi-led Pakistan.

These groups frequently target security forces, foreign nationals, and non-local Pakistanis in Balochistan, a mineral-rich province bordering Afghanistan and Iran. Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, Balochistan lags behind the rest of the country in education, employment, and economic development.

CM Bugti said all districts under attack were “cleared” on Sunday. “We are chasing them, we will not let them go so easily. Our blood is not that cheap. We will chase them until their hideouts,” he told reporters in Quetta.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), designated a terrorist organization by the United States, claimed responsibility for the attacks. In a statement to AFP, the group said it targeted military installations, police, and civil administration officials through gun attacks and suicide bombings.

Pakistan Blames India

Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, who attended funerals in Quetta on Saturday, claimed the attacks were supported by India, without providing evidence. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed similar allegations.

India strongly rejected the claims. “We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, which are nothing but its usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings,” said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. “Instead of parroting frivolous claims each time there is a violent incident, it would do better to address the long-standing demands of its people in the region. Its record of suppression, brutality, and violation of human rights is well known.”

Baloch separatists accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting the province’s natural gas and mineral resources without benefiting the local population. The BLA has increasingly targeted workers from other provinces and foreign energy firms in recent years.

Last year, separatists attacked a train carrying 450 passengers, sparking a deadly two-day siege, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the province.