UN Security Council condemns the latest militant attacks in Pakistan that killed dozens

The U.N. Security Council has issued a strong condemnation of the recent wave of militant attacks in southwestern Pakistan that has claimed dozens of lives, predominantly civilians, as Pakistani security forces continue their counterinsurgency operations in the troubled region.

Since Saturday, Pakistan’s Balochistan province has been rocked by approximately a dozen coordinated assaults targeting civilians and security infrastructure. According to federal and provincial officials, the death toll has reached at least 36 civilians and 17 security personnel.

In response, Pakistani forces have intensified their operations against insurgent groups in the volatile province. Government sources claim that security forces have killed 197 militants affiliated with the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the separatist group that has claimed responsibility for the recent suicide bombings and gun attacks.

U.N. Security Council President James Kariuki released a statement overnight condemning what he described as “heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks across multiple locations” in Balochistan. The statement expressed condolences to the victims’ families and to the government and people of Pakistan.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has long been the epicenter of a separatist insurgency led by ethnic Baloch groups who demand greater autonomy or complete independence from Pakistan’s central government. The region, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is strategically important but economically underdeveloped despite being rich in natural resources including natural gas, coal, and minerals.

The BLA, designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan, the United States, and several other countries, has significantly escalated its attacks in recent years. The group particularly targets infrastructure projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship initiative of China’s Belt and Road program, which has brought substantial Chinese investment to the province.

Security analysts note that the recent coordinated attacks demonstrate a concerning level of planning and operational capability. The militants have increasingly employed sophisticated tactics, including suicide bombings and simultaneous assaults on multiple targets, challenging the Pakistani security forces’ control in the region.

“These attacks represent one of the most significant coordinated militant operations in Balochistan in recent years,” said Amir Rana, a security analyst based in Islamabad. “The scale suggests the BLA has been able to rebuild some of its operational networks despite sustained pressure from security forces.”

Local human rights organizations have expressed concern about potential civilian casualties during the security operations, calling for transparency and adherence to international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, Baloch activists claim that legitimate political grievances about resource exploitation and lack of economic development remain unaddressed.

The Pakistani government has consistently maintained that it has largely suppressed the insurgency, but the persistent violence contradicts these claims. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and pledged continued operations against militant groups in the region.

The violence comes at a challenging time for Pakistan, which is already grappling with economic instability and political tensions. The security situation in Balochistan also threatens to complicate Pakistan’s relations with China, which has invested heavily in the region through CPEC projects.

While the Pakistani military claims significant success in eliminating militants in the ongoing operations, security experts caution that military solutions alone may not resolve the deep-rooted political and economic grievances that fuel the insurgency.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with several countries offering counterterrorism support to Pakistan while urging dialogue to address underlying issues in the troubled province.