Pakistan crackdown in Balochistan claims 145 lives in 40-hour

Pakistani security forces killed 145 pro-independence protesters during a 40-hour operation in the southwestern province of Balochistan, according to the federal interior ministry and the Balochistan chief minister’s office.

The operation followed coordinated gun and bomb attacks on January 29 across Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung and Noshki districts, targeting security-related installations, reports Reuters.

At least 48 people were killed in the attacks, including 17 members of the security forces and 31 civilians, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said.

Briefing the media on Saturday, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the attackers were dressed in civilian clothing, enabling them to blend easily into crowded areas.

The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the assaults in a statement issued on January 30, saying the attacks were carried out under an operation dubbed “Black Storm” and were aimed at Pakistan’s army, police and other security agencies.