In Pakistan, Baloch militants killed 53 Punjabis within 24 hours. A total of 74 people were killed in such incidents in a single day, including 21 militants. At least 23 people were shot dead in South West Pakistan after being taken off vehicles and their ID cards were checked. The Baloch militant organization has taken responsibility for this. Baloch have been targeting Punjabis for a long time. Baloch say that Punjabis exploit their resources. At the same time, massacres at so many places in a single day is not a simple matter. There is an 18-year-old story behind this.
74 killed in 24 hours
74 people were killed in a single day in Balochistan region. Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for this attack and said that they want to control the highways of the entire province. On Monday, in Rarashaam area of Musakhel district, militants took about 23 people off the buses and then shot them. The militants also set fire to at least 10 vehicles.
Apart from this, armed militants killed at least 10 policemen in Kalat, about 140 km from Quetta. 6 people were killed at night in Bolan district, four of them were from Punjab. The Pakistani army says that 14 other people have also been killed in different areas, including five security personnel. The security forces also retaliated at many places in which at least 21 terrorists were killed.
Let us tell you that many such incidents have come to light this year in Balochistan. In May last year, a big attack was carried out on the security forces. Experts say that the Baloch want to send a message to the people that this area is not safe for outsiders, so they should not dare to come here. The Baloch have targeted Chinese citizens many times. At the same time, they often kill Punjabis who come to work in Balochistan. They want people coming from Punjab and other provinces to get scared and stop coming. They believe that these people exploit their resources.
Why did so many attacks happen in a single day?
In a single day, Baloch militants caused carnage in many places. Actually, these attacks have been carried out on the occasion of the 18th death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti. Bugti was the former governor and chief minister of Balochistan. In 2005, he joined the separatist movement and was killed in a military operation in 2006. Since then, attacks take place every year on his death anniversary. Baloch militants directly challenge the government of Pakistan.
Let us tell you that Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan and about 1.5 crore people live here. This province is very rich in terms of natural resources. There are sources of oil, coal, gold, copper and gas here. Pakistan’s economy runs on the resources of Balochistan. Pakistan’s very important Gwadar Port is also in this province. It is very important for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. However, the Balochs say that the government of Pakistan does not work in the interest of the people of this province and only exploits the resources.
Since the return of the Afghan Taliban, incidents of violence have increased in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. There were 650 attacks in 2023 alone. Baloch militants often stop and loot trucks carrying coal or other minerals. This can be called a failure of the Pakistani government. Due to lack of development in Balochistan, militancy is at its peak here.