August 2024 Balochistan attacks

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict =

| partof = the Insurgency in Balochistan

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| date = 26 August 2024

| place = Balochistan Province, Pakistan

| territory =

| result = Inconclusive

| status =

| combatant2 = {{flag|Pakistan}}

| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|Balochistan flag.svg}} Balochistan Liberation Army

| commander2 = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Asif Ali Zardari
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.svg}} General Sahir Shamshad Mirza

| commander1 = Bashir Zeb

| units2 = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan Army

| units1 = Majeed Brigade
Fidayeen Squad

| strength2 =

| strength1 =

| casualties2 = 14 soldiers and policemen killed{{Cite news |title=Dozens killed by gunmen in multiple attacks in Pakistan |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pakistan-baluchistan-gunmen-1.7304790 |access-date=26 August 2024 |publisher=CBC News |date=26 August 2024 |language=en}}

| casualties1 = 21+ insurgents killed

| casualties3 = 60+ civilians killed, including 23 Punjabis executed by the BLA{{cite news |last1=Zehri |first1=Abdullah |title=23 travellers offloaded, shot dead in Balochistan's Musakhail after identity check: official |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1854830 |access-date=26 August 2024 |publisher=Dawn |date=26 August 2024 |language=en}}

| campaignbox =

}}

On 26 August 2024, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched a series of terrorist attacks in the Province of Balochistan in Pakistan. The attacks were carried out against civilian lorry drivers as well as military installations and police officers, killing at least 74 people, mostly unarmed civilians, and wounding many more.{{cite news |last1=Ahmad |first1=Saleem |last2=Mehsud |first2=Saud |date=27 August 2024 |title=More than 70 dead after militant attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/twenty-three-people-killed-pakistan-militant-attack-interior-minister-says-2024-08-26/ |access-date=27 August 2024 |work=Reuters |publisher= |language=en}}

Background

The Pakistani province of Balochistan has been the theatre of a long running insurgency, which escalated in intensity in 2004.{{Cite web |last=Baloch |first=Shah Meer |date=2017-09-16 |title=Akbar Bugti’s death and the revival of the Baloch insurgency |url=https://herald.dawn.com/news/1153862 |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Herald Magazine |publisher= |language=en}} The insurgency has pitted Baloch militant groups against the government of Pakistan as well as the government of neighbouring Iran. 26 August holds special significance among Balochi nationalists as it marks the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti, the Bugti Tribal chief who was a former Governor and Chief Minister of Balochistan. His death in a 2006 military operation was a pivotal event in the Balochistan insurgency, corresponding with a significant rise in militant activity.{{cite news |last1=Baloch |first1=Kiyya |date=12 September 2024 |title=BLA-TTP collaboration in Balochistan: alliance or anomaly? |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1856227/bla-ttp-collaboration-in-balochistan-alliance-or-anomaly |access-date=12 September 2024 |work=Dawn |publisher= |language=en}} 2024 saw multiple violent incidents in the province, including the 2024 Iran–Pakistan border skirmishes that killed over a dozen civilian in both countries and the twin bombings in February that killed over 30 people in the Pakistani province.

Founded in 2000, the Balochistan Liberation Army has been battling the Pakistani government for greater autonomy in Balochistan, with the end goal of creating a sovereign state in the province. The BLA has cited natural resource exploitation in Balochistan as one of their largest issues with the government, demanding an increase in economic investment in the province as well as the expulsion of China.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-26 |title=More than 70 killed in fighting between Pakistan's military and Baloch separatists |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/more-70-killed-fighting-between-pakistans-military-and-baloch-separatists |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}

Attacks

The BLA announced the attacks on the evening of 25 August 2024, calling it Operation Hereof, declaring it as an offensive against the Pakistani Army in Balochistan. The BLA attacked several sections of highways, such as the Karachi–Quetta section of National Highway 8, and damaged a train station, connected to Iran, in Mastung District.{{cite web |date=26 August 2024 |title=BLA's "Operation Herof": Additional Attacks Reported Across Balochistan |url=https://thebalochistanpost.net/2024/08/blas-operation-herof-additional-attacks-reported-across-balochistan/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=The Balochistan Post}} Suicide bombings were also reported during an attack against a Pakistani FOB in Bela.{{cite news |date=26 August 2024 |title=102 Pakistani soldiers killed in 'Op Herof', highways and army camp captured, claims Balochistan Liberation Army |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/new-updates/balochistan-liberation-army-claims-responsibility-for-killing-102-pakistani-soldiers-in-op-herof-capturing-highways-and-army-camp/articleshow/112798606.cms |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=The Economic Times}} The Pakistani Army confirmed so far the killings of 14 soldiers and police officers during the attacks.{{cite web |date=26 August 2024 |title=More than 70 killed in multiple armed attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/26/at-least-38-killed-in-multiple-armed-attacks-in-pakistans-balochistan |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=Al Jazeera}}

Twenty-three Punjabi people were killed on a highway in Musakhail District in what has been described as part of a larger ethnic cleansing campaign of Punjabi-origin people by Baloch militants in the region. About 30 or 40 armed militants offloaded passengers from trucks and buses and checked identities before shooting dead ethnic Punjabi passengers, then set fire to their vehicles. The BLA’s spokesman, Jeeyand Baloch claimed responsibility for the attack and claimed the victims were undercover intelligence personnel. Five more civilians were killed in Kalat District.

The Pakistani military said in a statement that at least 21 militants were killed by responding government forces.{{cite web |date=26 August 2024 |title=What's behind Pakistan's deadly Balochistan attacks, which left 74 dead? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/26/whats-behind-pakistans-deadly-balochistan-attacks-which-left-43-dead |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=Al Jazeera}} An attack against the railway facility also led to transit to Quetta being suspended.

Reactions

Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, along with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.{{Cite web |date=27 August 2024 |title=Pakistan PM says militant attacks aimed at thwarting China cooperation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-pm-sharif-says-militants-want-stop-china-pakistan-economic-corridor-2024-08-27/ |access-date=28 August 2024 |publisher=Reuters |language=en}}