Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants unleashed coordinated assaults across Pakistan's Balochistan province from January 29-February 1, 2026, hitting police stations, security posts, a Quetta prison, and civilian areas in Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Nushki—killing 17 security personnel and 31 civilians including women and children.
The wave began with Pakistani preemptive strikes killing 41 militants on Jan 29, followed by BLA retaliation on Jan 31 using gunfire, grenades, and suicide bombings that briefly blocked roads and targeted migrant camps.
Security forces responded over 40 hours, eliminating 145 BLA fighters—the highest militant toll in decades—while Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti accused India and Afghanistan of backing the insurgents who claimed military targets only. Quetta streets showed burned vehicles and cordoned zones as businesses shuttered amid fears of further attacks.
