At least four police officers were killed after ethnic Baloch separatists launched a series of coordinated attacks across Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, according to security officials, highlighting the persistent instability in the region.
The assaults, which involved both gunfire and suicide attacks, took place on Saturday in several districts, including the provincial capital, Quetta, as well as Pasni, Mastung, Nushki, and Gwadar, officials said.
A senior security official based in Quetta said the attacks appeared to have been organised and simultaneous, suggesting a high level of coordination among militant groups operating in the insurgency-hit province.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has long been the site of a low-intensity insurgency driven by ethnic Baloch groups who accuse the central government of political marginalisation and exploiting the region’s natural resources without fair local benefit.
Attacks frequently target security forces, particularly in areas linked to major infrastructure and development projects, including the strategic port city of Gwadar.
Following the attacks, authorities initiated security operations, despite no group immediately claiming responsibility. Further details on casualties and damage were not immediately available.
The latest violence comes amid ongoing concerns over security in Balochistan, where militant activity continues to pose a challenge to both civilian safety and state authority, despite repeated military and counterinsurgency operations by the government.
