Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sarfraz Bugti has said that the province's problems are not political and could only be addressed through a military response, confirming that at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel lost their lives during recent militant attacks.

Speaking to a private media program, CM bugti dismissed claims that a large numbers of militants had taken part in the coordinated assaults, stating that the actual number of attackers was between 200 and 250. 

He stressed that militant groups deliberately use civilians as human shields during attacks in urban areas. The provincial chief executive also estimated that the total number of terrorists, their sympathisers, and facilitators in Balochistan ranges between 4,000 and 5,000.

Bugti linked the resurgence of organised militancy since 2021 to what he described as a policy of appeasement following 2018, saying that militants were able to regroup and grow stronger after a new government took office. 

“When a new policy came, we started appeasing them. Because of this, by 2021, they became organised. In 2023 and 2024, they became even stronger,” he added, noting that his government reviewed this policy after assuming office in 2024.

Security forces have continued operations across the province. Over the past two days, 177 terrorists have been killed during coordinated sweeps, including 22 more during overnight operations following Saturday’s attacks, according to security officials.

The military’s media affairs wing said that the spate of assaults was carried out by Fitna-al-Hindustan, a designation highlighting India’s alleged role in supporting terrorism in Balochistan.

The attacks on Saturday targeted more than 10 cities and towns, primarily aiming at security and government installations. Suicide bombers, including female attackers, were involved, resulting in the deaths of 15 security personnel and 18 civilians.



Following the assaults, security forces launched cordon and sweep operations across towns, cities, and rural areas to eliminate remaining militant presence. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said peace had been restored in Balochistan and that security forces were now engaged in a mopping-up operation.

Mobile internet services, suspended since Saturday, continued to remain shut for the third consecutive day in Quetta and other cities. Balochistan’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Hamza Shafqaat, said services were expected to be restored on Tuesday.