2026 Balochistan attacks

1940s–2019 Balochistan has been the site of a protracted insurgency since the late 1940s, with Baloch groups accusing the Pakistani government of exploiting the province's natural resources while marginalising local populations. 2019 onward escalation Prior to the attacks, the insurgency had escalated since late 2019. Before the attacks, from 25 to 29 January 2026, Pakistani intelligence-based operations in Panjgur and Harnai had killed 41 militants and insurgents of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Pakistani Taliban (TTP) respectively. During the operation against BLA insurgents in Panjgur on 25 January, 3 local BLA commanders, going by the names; Farooq (alias "Soro"), Adeel, and Waseem, were killed and weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered by the Army from the militants, as well as cash which was looted from bank during a bank robbery in Panjgur from 15 December 2025. According to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, the province of Balochistan saw at least 254 terrorist attacks in 2025, which was 26% higher from the previous year which resulted in more than 400 deaths. According the provincial Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti (via a post on X), at least 700 insurgents were killed by security forces during counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the province of Balochistan in the year 2025 alone. The year 2025 was deadliest year for Pakistan, especially for militants and insurgents, with 2,115 militants and insurgents killed overall throughout the country, along with 664 security personnel and 580 civilians, according to a report released by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. == Attacks ==

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. According to Pakistani security officials, the attacks instead began at 04:00 am on Saturday with suicide blasts in Nushki and Pasni. Witnesses stated that the attacked started around 5 AM local time. During the attacks, BLA militants and insurgents stormed banks, schools, markets, and security installations across Balochistan. In Quetta, militants stormed multiple police facilities, leading to prolonged gun battles. During the attacks, Baloch militants targeted civilians, a prison, police stations, and paramilitary bases throughout Balochistan. According to the Balochistan Constabulary, the desert town of Nushki was secured by local law enforcement after a three-day battle during which 7 police officers were killed. According to security officials, helicopters and drones were used against militants in the city of Nushki to help drive out BLA-affiliated militants and insurgents. The BLA labelled the attacks "Operation Herof 2.0" (with the word Herof meaning "Black Storm" in Balochi), 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 also showing female fighters participating in the attacks. By 1 February, Pakistani officials reported that security forces had thwarted most attempts, engaging in clearance operations that lasted into the following day and went on till 5 February. According to officials, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) made announcements through mosques ahead of the attacks, asking people to join and support them, claiming to be waging a war to takeover all government buildings and installations in the province. According to Pakistani security forces, foreign handlers of the Baloch militants and insurgents, including their operatives, were present at the sites of the attacks and helped to coordinate them. == Response ==

Military operation On 29 January an operation, code named "Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 1", was launched in response to the BLA's "Operation Herof 2.0" and was conducted on the basis of intelligence, with the involvement of, and coordination from, the Pakistan Armed Forces (PAF), Pakistani law enforcement, and various Pakistani intelligence agencies were working jointly with precision and were planning together, according to an official statement. The operation had ended by 5 February and had resulted in the deaths of 216 militants and insurgents, according to the Armed Forces' media wing, the ISPR. During the operation, security forces had launched fresh raids in the districts of Panjgur and Harnai targeting hideouts/camps of the BLA in Balochistan. According to the ISPR, because of the coordinated engagements and clearance operations, 216 militants were killed, and the BLA's leadership, command-and-control structures, and operational capabilities were significantly weakened as a result. Operations began on January 29 in Panjgur and the outskirts of Harnai district after an imminent threat was indicated by verified intelligence. In this initial phase, 41 militants linked to local insurgent networks were eliminated. Subsequent responses by security forces had thwarted further attacks by BLA, followed by expanded intelligence-based operations across multiple areas to dismantle sleeper cells through sustained clearance and sanitisation operations. During the operation, a large caches of foreign-origin weapons, ammunition, explosives, and equipment was recovered, with preliminary analysis indicating systematic external facilitation and logistical support. Measures by the government 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 5 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 6 months. 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. The Balochistan health department declared an emergency at all government hospitals across the province to treat those injured in the attacks. Balochistan’s health minister, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, instructed health officials and hospitals to ensure immediate medical care for those injured. Health facilities in Quetta were placed on high alert and additional doctors were deployed in order help to treat the victims of the attacks. == Aftermath ==

According to Shahid Rind, a spokesman of Balochistan's provincial government, most of the attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army had been repelled or foiled. The BLA claimed to have killed 280 security personnel and taken 18 security personnel prisoner. However, the BLA provided no proof to back their claims. It later admitted to losing at least 92 of its fighters during the attacks by 6 February. Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, stated on Sunday that retaliatory operations launched by security forces, which occurred over course of 40 hours, resulted in the deaths of at least 145 militants, while also confirming that at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel lost their lives during the attacks and their reprisals. Railways services In Nasirabad, security forces defused explosive material planted on a railway track. but restored service by 5 February later in the day, after counter-operations by security forces had concluded. Affected areas According to Pakistani security officials and the Pakistan Army, multiple attacks were attempted and carried out in Quetta, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kalat, Gwadar, Pasni, Tump, and Mastung, stating that clearance operations were continuing in areas affected by the attacks. Involvement of other militant groups The Baloch Liberation Front claimed to have participated in the attacks alongside the Baloch Liberation Army. According to Pakistani security forces, foreign handlers of the Baloch militants and insurgents, including their operatives, were in direct communication with them during the attacks, with some being present at the sites of the attacks and where they had helped to coordinate them. == Reactions ==

Domestic reactions Pakistani officials condemned the attacks as attempts to undermine stability in Balochistan. • Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also paid tribute to the officers and security forces personnel, as well as the leadership of the Armed Forces for the success of Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1, Radio Pakistan reported. In his statement, Prime Minister Sharif had praised the capabilities of the security forces for "breaking the backbone of enemies for peace and development" in Balochistan during the operation. The he emphasized that "the nation could never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs", Radio Pakistan said. "He vowed that the cowardly and malicious attempts by the terrorists to sabotage the peace of Balochistan through targeting innocent civilians would always be crushed," it had read. "The terrorists have proved that they are enemies of development in the province and its people by targeting innocent civilians," it quoted him as saying. PM Shehbaz vowed that the war against the "scourge of terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated from the country". "The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in their unwavering determination to defend the homeland," he had affirmed. International reactions International statements included condemnation of the incident and solidarity with Pakistan from China, Turkey, Qatar, France, and the United States. 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. == See also ==