In a statement, the ISPR said that on January 31, militants affiliated with Fitna-e-Hindustan attempted to disrupt law and order in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni.

The military’s media wing said that 18 civilians, including women, children, and labourers, were martyred during attacks in Gwadar and Kharan.

According to the ISPR, security forces responded swiftly and decisively, killing 92 militants during clearance operations conducted on January 31, while 41 terrorists were eliminated a day earlier in Panjgur and Harnai.

The ISPR added that sanitization and follow-up operations are still underway in the affected areas, and all planners, facilitators, and abettors involved in the attacks will be brought to justice.

The proscribed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, labelling them “Operation Herof 2.0.” The group had previously carried out similar coordinated attacks across the province in August 2024; however, this is being described as the first major incident in which multiple sensitive locations in Quetta were targeted simultaneously.

According to officials, the attacks in Quetta began around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday when dozens of armed militants launched simultaneous assaults on police stations, Frontier Corps (FC) check posts, and security pickets across different parts of the city.

Gunfire and explosions were reported from several Baloch-majority areas, including Sariab Road, Mia Ghundi, Mastung Road, and Sariab Customs.

Following the initial assaults, clashes spread to Zarghoon Road, areas around the Red Zone, and near the railway station, where intense exchanges of fire took place between police, FC personnel, and the attackers.

Firefights were also reported on White Road, Jamali Road, and adjoining areas, where militants took positions on rooftops and targeted security forces.

Near Sariab police station, a patrolling police vehicle came under fire, resulting in the vehicle catching fire and two policemen being martyred on the spot. In response to the situation, all routes leading to Quetta Cantonment and the Red Zone were sealed, and security was placed on high alert.

Around 9:30 a.m., a vehicle laden with explosives rammed into the Hockey Chowk area on Zarghoon Road, killing several security personnel.

Eyewitnesses said the blast was extremely powerful, shattering windows of buildings more than a kilometre away and causing damage to the Civil Secretariat, Civil Hospital, and other nearby structures.

On the Eastern Bypass, armed militants attacked the Khaliq Shaheed police station and the New Police Lines, setting official records and equipment on fire. During the attack, a rocket struck a residential house, injuring several people.

Similarly, the New Sariab police station, Police Training College, and the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) complex were targeted with rocket launchers and hand grenades.

In the Hazarganji area, militants attacked the Shalkot police station and later opened fire and launched rockets at five banks, including Faisal Bank, Meezan Bank, National Bank, BankIslami, and Bank Alfalah. Afterward, mobs entered the buildings and looted furniture and other items, though cash kept in lockers remained safe.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said that four more militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Sariab area, with weapons, hand grenades, and literature of the banned organization recovered from their possession.

In Mastung, reports emerged of 27 prisoners escaping following an attack by armed militants, while in Mach, residents were advised to remain indoors due to potential terrorist threats.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the professionalism of the security forces in foiling the attacks and reaffirmed their resolve to continue operations against terrorism.

In view of the situation, an emergency has been imposed in hospitals across Quetta, internet services have been suspended, and railway traffic has been temporarily halted. Authorities said security operations will continue across the province until law and order are fully restored.