Pakistan: 9 Police Officers Killed In Balochistan Militant Attack, Security Forces Eliminate 15 Militants

A deadly militant attack on a police post in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province left at least nine police officers dead after heavily armed attackers launched a coordinated overnight assault. The incident occurred in the remote Ziarat district and led to an intense exchange of gunfire, highlighting the continuing security challenges in the region.

Several police personnel were also injured during the attack, although officials have not disclosed the exact number of casualties. The assault is the latest in a series of militant strikes targeting Pakistan's security forces.

Eight Abducted Police Personnel Rescued

According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, the attackers also abducted eight police officers during the assault. Security forces later conducted an operation and successfully rescued all of them.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the officers who lost their lives and extended condolences to their families. He said such attacks "cannot sabotage peace."

The latest violence comes just days after six militants were killed while attacking a Sindh Rangers compound in Karachi on June 29. That incident also claimed the lives of four paramilitary personnel and was reported to be Karachi's first major terrorist attack since October 2024.

Security Operation Ends With 15 Militants Killed

Following the overnight attack, Pakistani security forces launched a clearance operation in the affected area. Shahid Rind said the operation concluded with the killing of 15 militants.

He added that intelligence-based operations against militant groups would continue across the province and stressed that authorities would respond firmly to any future attacks targeting security personnel.

Suspicion Falls On Baloch Liberation Army

No militant organisation immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. However, suspicion has once again fallen on the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has been linked to several high-profile attacks in Balochistan.

The BLA recently claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a security post in the coastal town of Jiwani over the weekend. Pakistani authorities have not officially confirmed or rejected that claim.

Meanwhile, officials also acknowledged that armed men attacked civilians on the outskirts of Quetta during the weekend. The incident prompted local villagers to stage a sit-in near the city, demanding stronger security arrangements and better protection from future attacks.

Balochistan Continues To Face Militant Violence

Balochistan has remained one of Pakistan's most volatile regions due to the presence of separatist organisations and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The province has witnessed repeated attacks targeting security forces, civilians and government infrastructure over the years.

The Baloch Liberation Army, designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in 2019, has carried out several major attacks in the province in recent years, while the TTP continues to maintain a significant operational presence across parts of Balochistan.