Violent attacks by separatist militants which occurred on Saturday in Pakistan’s Balochistan province resulted in more than 120 fatalities according to official sources. The dead body count included 92 militants who died in suicide bomb attacks plus 33 security and civilian personnel.

The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks which struck multiple districts of Quetta and Gwadar and Mastung and Nushki and Dalbandin and Panjgur and Tump and Pasni to disrupt normal activities of the community. Security forces conducted clearance operations which resulted in road closures and mobile network interruptions and train service suspensions.

Gunmen stormed a Gwadar camp for migrant workers which resulted in the fatalities of 11 civilians who included women and children. The military personnel found and killed six militants who operated in the region. Medical facilities across the affected areas received emergency alerts to prepare for incoming patients who suffered from injuries.

The security personnel announced that the attackers had invaded a district jail which resulted in the release of 30 inmates who took government weapons and ammunition. The militants took a senior civil administrator as their hostage during an attack.

The Pakistani military reported that its forces contained the attacks which failed to establish enemy control over any city or key installation, thus proving BLA territorial control claims to be false. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their rapid response and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism. The military accused militants of receiving external support, a claim denied by India.

Balochistan maintains its position as Pakistan’s largest province but its economic development remains hindered by a continuous insurgency which attacks both civilians and security personnel and development projects throughout its resource-rich areas.