In light of a sharp increase in terrorism in Balochistan, Pakistan’s Apex Committee has officially approved a major military operation against terrorist groups operating in the region. The decision was made during a meeting on Tuesday. The committee is a top civil-military body led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The operation will target terrorist groups such as the Majeed Brigade, BLA, BLF, and BRAS. These groups have been attacking civilians and foreign nationals. Their goal is to disrupt Pakistan’s economic progress by creating fear and instability. The attacks are believed to be driven by hostile foreign forces.
The decision comes after a deadly suicide bombing earlier this month at Quetta’s railway station. At least 27 people died, and over 60 were injured in the blast. This attack is one of many recent acts of terrorism that have threatened the country’s security.
The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism, and it was part of a broader push to improve counterterrorism measures. The meeting was attended by all provincial chief ministers, the Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, as well as cabinet members and other senior officials.
Participants were briefed on the growing terrorism threats and the government’s efforts to tackle them. Other issues discussed included sub-nationalism, religious extremism, crime-terrorism connections, and disinformation campaigns. The civil-military leaders agreed on the need for a unified national strategy to combat these challenges.
One key point raised was the need for political unity across all parties. It was emphasized that a national consensus is crucial to strengthening Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. The meeting also approved the revitalization of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta). Additionally, a National and Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre will be set up.
The civil-military leadership agreed on a comprehensive approach to address terrorism. This approach will include diplomatic, political, military, and intelligence efforts. There will also be more cooperation between the federal and provincial governments, as well as relevant ministries and institutions.
A key aspect of the plan is to establish District Coordination Committees under provincial apex committees. These committees will help ensure that counterterrorism initiatives are implemented effectively at all levels of government.
General Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, reinforced the army’s commitment to eliminating terrorism. He stated that anyone who obstructs the country’s efforts to combat terrorism will face consequences. The army chief called for a united fight against terrorism, urging every Pakistani to consider themselves a soldier in this battle.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also expressed strong support for these efforts. He directed all stakeholders to pursue the counterterrorism initiatives with determination and urgency. The prime minister emphasized the importance of sustained and coordinated action to ensure Pakistan’s safety and stability.
Terrorists, often working with hostile foreign agencies, have been targeting civilians, foreign nationals, and security personnel in an effort to destabilize the country. Just last week, seven FC personnel were killed, and 18 others were wounded in a terrorist attack on a security check post in Kalat.
In another incident, 23 passengers were killed in August after being offloaded from buses in Musakhail. These attacks are part of a larger wave of terrorism that has affected both civilians and security forces in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) showed a 90% rise in terrorist violence during the third quarter of 2024. The report recorded 722 deaths and 615 injuries from 328 terrorist incidents. Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in KP and Balochistan, marking the highest death toll from terrorism in a decade.
Despite these challenges, terrorist groups are continuing to regroup and strengthen their operations. Many recent terrorist attacks have not been claimed by any group, likely due to tactical reasons.
