ISLAMABAD / QUETTA — On Monday, February 2, 2026, the Pakistan government issued an urgent call for large-scale military reinforcement in Balochistan as the death toll from a weekend of coordinated violence climbed to 225. Following a wave of synchronized attacks across 12 locations, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly that the sheer vastness of the province had left security forces “physically handicapped” in their efforts to contain the insurgency.
1. The Toll: A Weekend of Unprecedented Violence
The conflict escalated on Saturday, January 31, when militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched “Operation Herof 2.0,” targeting police stations, civilian homes, and military facilities.
| Group | Death Toll (as of Feb 3) | Key Details |
| Militants | 177 | Includes 145 killed in the first 40 hours; 22 killed in overnight raids on Monday. |
| Civilians | 31 | Includes 11 migrant workers killed in a camp in Gwadar. |
| Security Forces | 17 | Includes personnel from the Army, Police, and Navy. |
| Total Deaths | 225 | Analysts describe this as the highest militant toll in decades. |
2. The Geography Challenge: 40% of Pakistan
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that Balochistan’s topography is the primary obstacle to peace.
- The “Vastness” Factor: Balochistan covers over 44% of Pakistan’s landmass but is its least populated province.
- The Nexus: Asif alleged a “nexus” between tribal elders, bureaucracy, and separatists, claiming the BLA is providing cover for oil smuggling that previously generated PKR 4 billion per day.
- Modern Weaponry: The Minister questioned the source of militants’ funding, noting they possess American-made rifles worth PKR 2 million and thermal sights valued at $5,000.
3. Diplomatic Friction: The India-Afghanistan Allegations
The internal crisis has once again triggered a war of words between Islamabad and New Delhi.
- Pakistan’s Claim: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the military (ISPR) alleged the attacks were orchestrated by “Indian-sponsored” elements operating from Afghanistan.
- India’s Rejection: External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the claims as “baseless” and “frivolous,” stating they are a “usual tactic to deflect attention from internal failings.”
- Human Rights: India urged Pakistan to focus on the “long-standing demands” of the Baloch people rather than externalizing blame.
4. Economic Stakes: CPEC and the “Minerals Briefcase”
The violence arrives at a critical juncture for Pakistan’s economic diplomacy.
- CPEC: The attacks targeted regions critical to the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, including the port city of Gwadar.
- US Investment: The timing is sensitive as the Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, recently met with President Donald Trump to pitch US investment in Balochistan’s mineral wealth.