Defence minister urges large-scale troop deployment in Balochistan -

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(dailyjurat)Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Monday that Pakistan needed to deploy large numbers of troops in Balochistan because of the province’s vast geography amid the serious security situation and recent spate of attacks.The statement comes after a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations in Balochistan that occurred a day earlier. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed as security forces repelled the attacks across the province on Saturday, while 15 security personnel were also martyred in combat.

“Terrorists of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan attempted to disturb the peace of Balochistan by conducting multiple terrorist activities around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni,” the ISPR said in a statement on Saturday. Security sources said today that 22 more terrorists were killed during overnight follow-up actions with the latest casualties bringing the total number of terrorists killed in operations over the past three days to at least 177.

Speaking in the National Assembly (NA) on the matter, Asif said: “Balochistan constitutes over 40% of Pakistan geographically … to control it is much difficult than a populated city or area and it needs deployment of massive forces. Our troops are deployed there and are in action against them (terrorists) but they are physically handicapped by guarding and patrolling such a big area.”

The defence minister said the government tightened enforcement to curb smuggling, triggering a major protest at the Chaman border. He said some people argue the state should negotiate with nationalist movements, but claimed the protest movement was driven by commercial interests rather than politics or nationalism.Asif alleged smugglers were previously earning up to Rs4 billion a day from oil smuggling, and said the agitation was aimed at recouping business losses.

He also alleged criminal groups were operating under the banner of the banned Baloch Liberation Army terrorist group and providing protection to smugglers, saying: “In Balochistan, tribal elders, the bureaucracy and those running separatist movements have formed a nexus.”

Asif said 177 terrorists had been killed in the last two days, while 16 security personnel and 33 civilians were killed.Prayers were offered in today’s session on those martyred in the recent spate of terrorist attacks with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also paying them tribute.

Speaking to reporters in his hometown of Sialkot a day ago, Asif had said Pakistan’s findings showed that “all the linkages point towards India” in the recent attacks across Balochistan that were claimed by the BLA.

He said the BLA “is an internationally recognised terrorist organisation and banned internationally”, adding that it seeks to maintain its visibility “to get foreign funding by India”. He said the group had carried out attacks on civilians, including kidnappings of civilians and government employees.Earlier in the day, opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen Pakistan (TTAP) also condemned terrorism in Balochistan and expressed grief over the deaths of security personnel and civilians, calling the violence a sign of deepening insecurity in the province.

In a statement on X, the TTAP offered condolences to families of those killed, saying it stood in solidarity with both security forces and civilians affected by the attack. It said the scale of violence amounted to a complete failure of the provincial government and law enforcement agencies.

“It shows how limited the writ of law has become in the province and that citizens’ lives and property have no protection,” the statement said.TTAP also criticised the provincial administration, saying: “How long will we keep turning a blind eye to the fact that a Balochistan government lacking public support is only concerned with prolonging its rule, not with people’s lives.”It said terrorism could only be confronted by a government and system whose “moral standing” was not in question.The statement added: “Then they say free and fair elections and representative governments are the solution — not rulers and systems imposed against the will of the people.”