ISLAMABAD: International condemnation continued this week over last week’s coordinated attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, as security forces killed 22 more terrorists in ongoing counterterrorism operations, Pakistani officials said.
Pakistan has faced a renewed surge in militant violence in recent years, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) decision to end its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Last week’s coordinated assaults, claimed by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), left 17 security personnel martyred and 31 civilians dead.
Addressing the National Assembly on Monday, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said security forces had carried out decisive intelligence-based operations in response.
“In total, 177 terrorists have been eliminated,” he told lawmakers, referring to operations conducted over the past several days. According to Reuters, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that 22 additional “Indian-backed militants” were killed in the latest phase of operations, bringing the cumulative toll to 177.
Speaking after the attacks, Naqvi said the violence was not the work of “ordinary militants” but was orchestrated with external backing.
“India is behind these attacks,” the interior minister said, adding that the militants received financial, planning, and operational support. He vowed Pakistan would pursue all those involved, including facilitators and planners, and expose them “before the world.”
As news of the expanded operations emerged, governments and international organizations issued fresh statements condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with Pakistan.
The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said it “deeply mourns the lives lost” in the attacks and extended condolences to the families of victims and the injured. “China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to support Pakistan in fighting terrorism, maintaining social stability, and keeping its people safe,” the embassy said.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reiterated its principal rejection of what it described as “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” affirming solidarity with Pakistan and support for its efforts to safeguard security and territorial integrity.
The European Union (EU) also condemned the attacks, saying it “unequivocally rejects terrorism in all its forms and stands with Pakistan.” “Our deepest condolences go to the families of civilians and security personnel affected by the recent attacks in Balochistan, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the EU said.
France said it stood in solidarity with Pakistan against “terrorism in all its forms,” while the Russian Embassy emphasized the need to “combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.” “We hope those responsible for these heinous acts will be identified and brought to justice,” the Russian statement said.
Azerbaijan reaffirmed its “firm support for international efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” expressing solidarity with Pakistan. Canada, the Maldives, and Sweden also conveyed condolences and support.
Earlier, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States had similarly denounced the Balochistan attacks.
Pakistani authorities classify TTP and BLA as “khawarij,” a term rooted in early Islamic history that Pakistani officials use to describe extremist groups that reject legitimate authority and target civilians and state institutions.
Officials said counterterrorism operations remain ongoing, with security forces maintaining heightened vigilance across affected areas.
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