Balochistan separatists have carried out a series of bloody attacks in Pakistan in the past 24 hours. The rebels have stopped cars and trucks on a highway and shot dead drivers and passengers, and have also carried out attacks on railway lines and police stations. Dozens of people have been killed in coordinated attacks.
The bloodiest attacks took place on the main highway in Balochistan. According to the BBC, armed rebels stopped vehicles and checked the identity documents of drivers and passengers. Their targets were supposed to be people from Punjab. They were shot. After the killings, the perpetrators set the vehicles on fire. The rebels killed at least 23 people in this way.
Series of bloody attacks in Balochistan PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Series of bloody attacks in Balochistan PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Separatists also planted explosives on the railway bridge connecting the provincial capital with the rest of the country. Pakistanas well as on the railway line connecting the country with the neighboring Iran – local authorities reported. Train traffic was suspended due to the explosions.
Series of bloody attacks in Balochistan PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Series of bloody attacks in Balochistan PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Militants also carried out attacks on police and security posts in Balochistan, killing at least 10 people in one attack, local officials said.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which along with several other armed groups have been fighting for independence from Islamabad for decades, claimed responsibility for the killings. They believe that the Pakistani authorities are neglecting their province, where they are exploiting mineral resources in cooperation with China.
Series of bloody attacks in Balochistan PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Reuters reports that the separatists targeted workers from the Punjab province – divided by the border between India and Pakistan – recognizing that they contribute to the exploitation of the natural resources of their land.
“These attacks are a well thought out plan to create anarchy in Pakistan”
Local government spokesman Shahid Rind was quoted by AFP as saying that 39 people had been confirmed dead “in several attacks coordinated by Balochistan Liberation Army terrorists”.
In Balochistan, the military and security services intervened. As reported in the afternoon, the army killed 14 officers in clashes with separatists. It added that the services killed 21 rebels in a retaliatory operation.
Series of bloody attacks in Balochistan PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the attack as barbaric and said the perpetrators would not escape punishment. “These attacks are a well-thought-out plan to create anarchy in Pakistan.” He added that security forces killed 12 militants, but did not give more details.
Series of bloody attacks in Balochistan PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Located in the west of Pakistan, Balochistan is the largest but least populated region of the country. It borders Afghanistan and Iran.
Main image source: PAP/EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER