2026 Balochistan attacks
| 2026 Balochistan attacks | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the insurgency in Balochistan | |||||||||
Two BLA fighters outside a children's school near Akram Market, Quetta, c. 31 January | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Balochistan Liberation Army Balochistan Liberation Front | Pakistan | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 200–300 | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
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Per Pakistani government: 216 militants killed BLA claim: 18 militants killed | 22 security personnel killed | ||||||||
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36 civilians killed 100 suspects arrested by law enforcement | |||||||||
In late January and early February 2026, in a series of coordinated attacks across multiple districts in Balochistan, militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) engaged in armed assaults and suicide bombings targeting schools, hospitals, banks, markets, security installations, police stations, a high-security prison, and various civilian areas. These attacks occurred as part of an ongoing insurgency in the Balochistan region, in which nationalist and separatist groups are seeking greater autonomy or independence from Pakistan and Iran.
Pakistani security forces responded with large-scale counter-operations across the province, stating that the operations resulted in the deaths of at least 216 militants and 22 security personnel. Around 36 civilians were also killed in the attacks carried out by militants associated with BLA. The attacks were widely condemned by China, France, Turkey, the U.S. Embassy, and the UNSC. The attacks were also described as among the deadliest incidents in Balochistan in recent years.