The United Nations Security Council has issued a forceful condemnation of a devastating wave of militant assaults in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, which resulted in significant civilian and security force casualties. This strong rebuke comes as Pakistani military operations intensify against insurgent factions in the volatile region.
According to official statements from federal and provincial authorities, the coordinated offensive, which commenced last Saturday, specifically targeted both civilian populations and installations housing police and security personnel. The initial death toll reports indicate at least 36 non-combatants and 17 members of the security forces lost their lives in the attacks.
In response, Pakistani security forces launched a comprehensive counter-insurgency campaign, reporting the elimination of 197 militants affiliated with the proscribed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). This group has publicly claimed responsibility for the recent series of suicide bombings and armed assaults.
UN Security Council President James Kariuki released an official statement characterizing the multi-location attacks as ‘heinous and cowardly terrorist acts.’ The Council extended its profound sympathies to the families of the victims, the Pakistani government, and its citizens.
The province of Balochistan has been the epicenter of a long-standing separatist movement, with ethnic Baloch groups engaging in an insurgency seeking either greater regional autonomy or complete independence from the central government in Islamabad. While Pakistani officials have repeatedly declared the insurgency to be largely suppressed, the persistence of violent episodes demonstrates the ongoing challenges in achieving lasting stability in the region.