Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has called for deploying large numbers of troops in Balochistan, saying the province’s size and security threats make control extremely difficult.
His remarks came after a wave of coordinated attacks across several districts of Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces repelled the attacks and killed 92 terrorists, while 15 security personnel were martyred during combat.
ISPR said terrorists linked to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan targeted areas including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni. Security sources later said follow-up operations killed 22 more militants, raising the total to at least 177 terrorists over three days.
Also Read: Pakistan’s literacy rate lowest in South Asia: FAFEN
Speaking in the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif said Balochistan makes up more than 40% of Pakistan’s land area, making security operations far more challenging than in densely populated cities. He said troops are actively engaged but face difficulties patrolling such a vast region.
The defense minister said the government tightened action against smuggling, which triggered protests at the Chaman border. He rejected claims that the unrest was political, saying it was driven mainly by business losses.
Asif alleged smugglers were once earning up to Rs4 billion daily through oil smuggling and that recent protests aimed to recover those losses.
He further claimed that criminal groups are operating under the banner of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and are providing protection to smugglers. “In Balochistan, tribal elders, the bureaucracy and those running separatist movements have formed a nexus,” he said.
قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں وزیرِ مملکت چوہدری ارمغان سبحانی کی والدہ مرحومہ، صدر آزاد جموں و کشمیر بیرسٹر سلطان محمود چوہدری مرحوم، رکن قومی اسمبلی ریاض فتیانہ کے سسر مرحوم، رکن قومی اسمبلی صوفیہ سعید شاہ کی ہمشیرہ مرحومہ، سابق رکن قومی اسمبلی محمد شاہ کھگہ مرحوم، ڈیرہ اسماعیل خان… pic.twitter.com/lkWhdQCTH7
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) February 2, 2026
Asif told the assembly that 177 terrorists had been killed in recent operations, while 16 security personnel and 33 civilians lost their lives.
During the session, prayers were offered for those martyred in the attacks, with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq paying tribute to the fallen security personnel.
Also Read: India announces record defense budget of $85 billion this year
Earlier, speaking to reporters in Sialkot, Asif said Pakistan’s investigations showed “all the linkages point towards India” in the recent Balochistan attacks claimed by the BLA.
He said the BLA is an internationally banned terrorist organization and seeks to remain visible to secure foreign funding. He added that the group has targeted civilians, including kidnappings of government employees.
