Pakistan Deploys Helicopters and Drones in Standoff with Baloch Rebels

Security Forces Regain Control in Nushki Town Amid Ongoing Rebel Attacks

A three-day battle has come to an end with security forces securing the desert town of Nushki in southwestern Balochistan province. According to police reports, seven officers were killed during the fighting. The Share Save Pakistan organization has deployed helicopters and drones to support the operation.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched a series of attacks across the province on Saturday, targeting banks, schools, markets, and security installations. Residents reported experiencing intense violence, with one housewife describing her home as being “on the verge of collapse” due to a powerful morning blast.

Authorities have imposed security restrictions in the province, banning public gatherings and demonstrations. The BLA has claimed responsibility for killing 280 soldiers during its Operation Herof, which it says is a follow-up to coordinated attacks in August 2024 that left at least 74 people dead.

The region’s rich mineral resources have contributed to decades of separatist tensions, with armed groups claiming they are resisting exploitation. The area is also home to Chinese workers on various projects. In recent years, violence has surged, with security forces reporting over 700 terrorists killed in the past year alone.

Funerals for some of the victims are scheduled to take place on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities have confirmed that at least 50 people were killed in the coordinated BLA attacks. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing fighting and reports of terrorist activity in the region.

Source: Al Jazeera