Pakistan claims its security forces have killed 75 militants in a days-long operation following a series of deadly attacks on police, security personnel and civilians in restive Balochistan province. The operations targeted the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which Islamabad blames for the attacks.The operation involving the Pakistan Army, Border Guards and police began late on Monday after dozens of alleged Baloch militants attacked a police post near the Manjhi Dam, according to the Balochistan government. Manjhi Dam is an important reservoir that supplies water to millions of people in Quetta and surrounding areas.Pakistani authorities claimed that nine police officers and 15 attackers were killed in the initial attack. They also claimed that the attackers kidnapped 18 police officers, who were later found blindfolded and shot dead after fleeing into nearby mountains.The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Quetta, where he met with the families of the 42 victims killed in the attack.According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif told the families of the deceased that their sacrifices were “not in vain” and assured them that those responsible would be brought to justice.The latest violence has raised concerns about the growing influence of separatist groups in Balochistan, where security forces have battled an insurgency for decades.The Balochistan government also announced compensation of 11.1 million Pakistani rupees (approximately US$39,000) to the family of each policeman killed in the attack.Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populous province, has witnessed a long-running separatist insurgency led by ethnic Baloch groups seeking greater autonomy or independence. The province also faces attacks from the TTP, a militant group distinct from but allied with the Afghan Taliban.Pakistan said security operations in Balochistan were continuing but did not immediately receive independent verification of its claims about the number of militants killed and other details of the operation.
