Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area and a region of immense geographic, economic, and strategic importance, has once again been targeted by a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks aimed at undermining peace, stability, and national cohesion. Since the creation of Pakistan, hostile external forces, anti-state elements, and their local facilitators have persistently sought to destabilise this vital region through proxy warfare and subversive activities.
In recent days, a series of well-planned and synchronised terrorist attacks carried out by operatives of Fitna-e-Hindustan across multiple districts of Balochistan represent a continuation of this long-standing campaign of violence. The objective of these attacks was not only to disrupt law and order, but also to create a rift between the people of Balochistan and the State of Pakistan by spreading fear, mistrust, and uncertainty.
On 31 January 2026, terrorists launched coordinated assaults in Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni geographically dispersed locations demonstrating a deliberate, multi-pronged strategy to destabilise the province. The scale, planning, and deliberate targeting of civilians clearly indicate that these were not isolated actions by local extremists, but part of a broader externally driven agenda.
Despite the intensity of the attacks, Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies responded with speed, professionalism, and exceptional courage. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), immediate clearance and sanitisation operations were launched, resulting in the elimination of approximately 150 terrorists, including two suicide bombers. These operations sent a clear and unequivocal message that there is zero tolerance for terrorism in Pakistan and that the State will not compromise on its sovereignty.
Throughout these operations, every effort was made to minimise harm to the local population, reflecting the fact that this fight is not against the people of Balochistan, but for their protection, safety, and future.
The most tragic aspect of these attacks was the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians. In Gwadar and Kharan, women, children, elderly citizens, and labourers were killed in cold blood. Such acts cannot be justified under any political or ideological pretext. These victims were ordinary citizens engaged in their daily lives, targeted solely to create an atmosphere of fear and project a false narrative of state failure. The swift and decisive response by security forces, however, decisively dismantled this narrative.
In the line of duty, 17 brave soldiers of Pakistan embraced martyrdom while defending the nation. Their sacrifice stands as a source of immense pride for the entire country. These valiant sons of the soil laid down their lives without hesitation to protect Pakistan’s people and territory. Their families’ courage and resilience embody the nation’s collective resolve and reaffirm that such sacrifices will never be forgotten.
ISPR has categorically stated that the planning and coordination of these attacks took place from outside Pakistan, with terrorist masterminds maintaining direct contact with attackers during the operations. This disclosure reinforces Pakistan’s long-held position that India has been actively sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan a reality substantiated over time through intelligence reports, confessions of arrested terrorists, and the arrest of Indian intelligence operative Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Over the past two days alone, a combined total of 142 terrorists belonging to Fitna-e-Hindustan and Fitna-e-Khawarij have been neutralised, underscoring the vigilance and determination of Pakistan’s security institutions. Ongoing sanitisation operations demonstrate the State’s commitment to ensuring that no terrorist, facilitator, or supporter is allowed to evade justice, regardless of location.
Balochistan’s strategic importance—anchored in its natural resources, the Gwadar Port, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and future development projects remains a central reason it is targeted by hostile forces. These elements seek to sabotage progress, deter investment, erode public confidence, and weaken the authority of the State through acts of terror.
Encouragingly, awareness is growing among the people of Balochistan that terrorism is not a solution to their challenges but a source of further suffering. These violent groups are neither representatives nor well-wishers of the Baloch people; they are instruments of foreign agendas, willing to sacrifice innocent lives to serve external interests.
Alongside robust security measures, the State of Pakistan remains committed to addressing political, economic, and social dimensions to further integrate Balochistan into the national mainstream and reduce feelings of deprivation. The “Azm-e-Istehkam” Vision, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, reflects this comprehensive strategy. The initiative aims not only to eliminate terrorism through force, but also to counter extremism, curb illegal financing, strengthen border security, and enhance institutional coordination.
The role of media and civil society is critical in this national effort. Terrorist networks rely heavily on fear, misinformation, and propaganda to amplify their impact. Responsible journalism, dissemination of verified information, and promotion of national unity are essential to counter hostile narratives. In the digital age, citizens also bear responsibility to avoid spreading unverified content and inadvertently aiding enemy propaganda.
The recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and the successful counterterrorism operations that followed stand as a testament to Pakistan’s resolve, resilience, and professional capability. The sacrifices of innocent civilians and fallen soldiers are a sacred trust that demands national unity, solidarity, and unwavering determination.
This is not a moment for despair or division, but for resolve, unity, and steadfastness. Balochistan is the heart of Pakistan, and those who seek to wound it must understand that this nation is prepared to make every sacrifice necessary to defend its people, its sovereignty, and its future. No conspiracy, no matter how elaborate, can hold Pakistan’s peace, progress, and independence hostage.
