Sources said the attackers stormed the city police station, ransacked official records and set the building on fire. They also ente­red the CTD office, destr­oyed its record and later set the premises ablaze.

Officials said security forces rushed to the area after receiving information about the attack and launched operations against the attackers in different parts of Kharan city.

Heavy firing continued until late at night, while large contingents of Fron­tier Corps (FC) and police personnel were deployed at the entry and exit points of the city as well as other sensitive locations.

The armed attackers, who were reportedly in large numbers, later escaped from Kharan.

A search operation by security forces was continuing. However, no casualties were reported in the exchange of fire or during the attacks on the police station and CTD offices.

Following the incident, the authorities declared a province-wide high alert and directed all officials to immediately report to their respective police stations. They were asked to remain fully armed and prepared for any emergency, while unnecessary movement was restricted as a precautionary measure.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the deadly coal mine disaster in Sorange that claimed the lives of 34 miners, assigning the investigation to the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) to determine the causes of the tragedy and identify those responsible.

On the directives of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the CMIT, headed by its chairman Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai, will conduct an on-site investigation into the July 30 accident.

The inquiry has been tasked with establishing the actual cause of the incident, reviewing the performance of the relevant authorities, fixing responsibility for any negligence, and proposing measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

According to an official notification issued on Sunday, the CMIT has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations to the chief minister within two weeks.

Mines sealed

Separately, the mines and minerals department has also initiated a departmental inquiry into the incident. Authorities have sealed four coal mines, including the two directly affected by the accident, as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Sorange mine disaster, one of the deadliest mining accidents in Balochistan in recent years, claimed the lives of 34 miners after they were trapped 3,000 to 4,000 feet deep inside the coal mine.

Balochistan Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said all 34 coal miners hailed from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district.

Abid Yaar, president of the Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association, said Mian Kalay in Shangla’s Pirabad town, from where 23 of the miners hailed, had become an epicentre of repeated coal mine tragedies.

He added that the victims, aged between 17 and 25, belonged to the same families and were cousins or close relatives. According to Mr Yaar, several of the deceased were orphans whose fathers had also lost their lives in previous coal mine accidents.

The tragedy has renewed concerns over mine safety standards, regulatory oversight and enforcement of safety protocols in the province’s coal mining sector.

Officials said the findings of the investigations would help determine accountability and guide future reforms aimed at improving worker safety and preventing similar tragedies.

Deadly mine explosions are common in Balochistan, with stakeholders often pointing out the abse­nce of essential safety protocols.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

At a meeting of the academy, the chairman of the academy, Haibtan Omar, urged the provincial government to withdraw the proposed legislation and strengthen financial support for literary and cultural organisations in the province.

Members of the academy attending the meeting called for introduction of a Balochi-language curriculum in government schools, appointment of qualified Balochi teachers and lecturers through the Public Service Commission, and additional funding from the federal and provincial governments for research and digital language projects.

The meeting reviewed the institution’s annual performance, financial affairs, publishing activities, and ongoing digitisation projects to preserve and promote the Balochi language.

Presenting the annual report, General Secretary of the academy Irfan Jamaldini said the academy had made significant progress on its Balochi encyclopedia project, with the first volume expected to be completed by the end of the year. He also announced that the academy had developed the first Balochi Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system, enabling printed images and PDF documents to be converted into editable text.

The initiative is expected to help preserve republication of rare Balochi books and manuscripts, he said.

Jamaldini said the Academy’s Natural Language Processing (NLP) project would help standardise the Balochi language and align it with modern technological developments.

He stressed that completing the NLP project, the encyclopedia, and educational and literary material for children remained among the academy’s top priorities.

Publication Secretary Zakir Qadir informed the meeting that the academy had published 11 books during the past year, including the Balochistaniyat Research Journal, while work on dozens of additional manuscripts was in progress.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

EOC Balochistan Coordinator Inam Ul Haq told the media on Sunday that the campaign is being conducted in areas identified as having high-risk mobile populations and ongoing poliovirus circulation. He said the initiative is part of the government’s continued efforts to interrupt virus transmission.

A total of 209,557 children under the age of five will be vaccinated during the campaign. To ensure effective coverage, 862 vaccination teams have been deployed, supported by 61 fixed vaccination sites and 72 transit points, where children travelling with their families will also receive the life-saving oral polio vaccine.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

DERA MURAD JAMALI / GWADAR: Eight people were killed in separate incidents across Balochistan on Saturday, including a passenger bus driver shot dead in Kachhi and two people gunned down in Khuzdar, police said

A passenger bus driver was shot dead and a traveller wounded after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a coach on N-65 National Highway in Balochistan’s Kachhi district.

The attack occurred near Haji Shahr when a coach travelling from Sadiqabad to Quetta came under gunfire, according to police. The driver, Shamood-ul-Haq, a resident of Quetta, was killed on the spot, while passenger Hazrat Gul, a resident of Musakhel, was wounded.

The body of the driver and the injured passenger were taken to the Teaching Hospital in Sibi, police said.

Following the attack, transporters and passengers blocked the National Highway in protest, halting traffic and accusing police of failing to provide security along the route. The protest ended after negotiations with police officials, and traffic resumed.

Transporters said armed robberies had become frequent at several points along the N-65, including Balanari, Haji Shahr, Kambri Bridge and Bakhtairabad. They said authorities had repeatedly promised to eliminate criminal gangs operating on the highway.

Elsewhere in Balochistan, two people — including a woman — were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Wadh, Khuzdar district. Police identified the victims as Muhammad Ishaq Bugti and Ayesha, adding that the attackers escaped and an investigation was under way.

In Kech district, police recovered three bodies from separate locations around Turbat over the past 24 hours.

One body was found in the Nasirabad area of Turbat and was identified through a COVID-19 vaccination card found in the victim’s pocket as Badal Khan, a resident of the Jhao area in Awaran district.

Two other bodies were recovered from the Mirani Dam canal area in Dasht and the Kohak forest area of Mirabad and were identified as Sher Jan and Salman, a resident of Khaddam, according to police.

Hospital sources said one of the bodies showed signs of torture, while no gunshot wounds were found. The other victim had reportedly been electrocuted.

Meanwhile, a motorcycle collision near Rabi in the Dera Murad Jamali area killed Muhammad Jan, police said. Another man, Muhammad Ibrahim, was seriously injured and receiving treatment.

In another incident in the Siri Kahn area of Turbat, a young man died after a ceiling fan fell on him while he was asleep at his home, officials said.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

During the operation, security forces also killed five terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Khawarij, according to the military’s media wing.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The ISPR said that Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi, 34, from Mianwali district, was “a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice” and embraced martyrdom.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, “who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities” against security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as in the killing of civilians.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement read.

“Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment of safeguarding our nation at all costs.”

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government was implementing a comprehensive and effective strategy to “completely eliminate” the menace posed by the proscribed Fitna-al-Hindustan, Fitna-al-Khawarij and other terrorist outfits to the country.

Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorism since the banned TTP ended its ceasefire deal with the government in November 2022, vowing to increase attacks.

Last month, in the wake of multiple major attacks in Balochistan, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had reaffirmed that terrorism “emanating from across the borders will be crushed with full might of the state”.

On July 29, the military’s media wing said security forces killed 32 terrorists during operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

7 terrorists killed in Nushki IBO

In a separate statement, ISPR said security forces killed “seven Indian-sponsored terrorists” during an IBO in Balochistan’s Nushki district on the night of July 30/31 July.

Among those was a would-be suicide bomber, the ISPR said, noting that the IBO was carried out on the “reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan” — a term designated by the state for terrorist organisations in Balo­chistan.

During the operation, a terrorist hideout was “identified, monitored and busted through prompt surgical action by own forces, killing all seven Indian sponsored terrorists, including a suicide bomber”, the statement said.

It added that ammunition and improvised explosive devices found there were also destroyed on-site.

Sanitisation operations were underway to eliminate “any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area”.

The military’s media affairs wing reaffirmed that the counter-terrorism campaign under Vision Azm-i-Istehkam would continue “at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country”.

A day earlier, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti vowed that the state would not retreat “even an inch” in its fight against terrorism.

Last month, security forces killed at least 16 terrorists during “Operation Al-Azm” in Balochistan’s Mastung district, which was launched after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach claimed three lives and injured five others.

Security concerns heightened in Balochistan after a spate of major terrorist attacks took place in early July, which prompted counterterrorism operations across the province.

Among the counterterrorism efforts was Operation Shaban, in which 91 terrorists were killed between July 5 and July 16, according to security sources cited by state media. This took the tally of terrorists eliminated in operations across the province during the period to 129.

The protest, organised by Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association (SCMWA), coincided with the arrival of the victims’ bodies from Balochistan.

A number of people gathered at Bada Gata before accompanying the bodies to their native villages for burial.

The demonstrators accused the mining company of negligence and urged the Balochistan government to conduct a fair investigation into the incident that claimed 34 lives.

Carrying placards and chanting slogans, protesters criticised the area’s elected representatives, alleging that successive governments had failed to create employment opportunities in Shangla, forcing residents to seek work in hazardous coal mines in Balochistan.

They said unemployment had compelled generations of young men from the district to work under dangerous conditions to support their families, while recurring mining accidents continued to claim lives.

Twenty-six miners belonging to Shangla were laid to rest in their ancestral graveyards in the Mian Kalay, Kana and Bely Baba areas after their bodies were brought from Balochistan. Two others were likely to arrive on Saturday night. Emotional scenes were witnessed as several families buried more than one relative.

Addressing the gathering, SCMWA leaders Ali Bash Khan and former senator Rahat Hussain demanded that those responsible for negligence be held accountable.

They said repeated mining disasters had left dozens of families in Shangla without breadwinners and urged the federal and provincial governments to formulate policies to provide safer working conditions for miners and create alternative sources of employment in the district.

The speakers said Shangla remained one of the country’s most underdeveloped districts, where limited economic opportunities had forced a large number of residents to migrate to coalfields in Balochistan to earn a livelihood.

They also called for adequate compensation and long-term support for the families of the deceased miners.

Opposition Leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Ibadullah Khan, MPA Abdul Munim and others, who were also present on the occasion, promised early compensation for the victims’ heirs.

Twenty-eight coal miners, who died in the mine incident in Quetta, were from the Shangla district, and 23 of them from Mian Kalay village.

Shangla has long been a major source of Pakistan’s coal mine workforce, with thousands of its residents employed in mines across Balochistan.

Fatal mining accidents have repeatedly claimed the lives of workers from the district, prompting recurring demands for improved safety standards and employment opportunities closer to home.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

The explosion occurred on Thursday at a private coal mine in the Sorange coalfield, about 30 kilometres northeast of Quetta. The methane gas explosion triggered a fire, caused the mine to collapse, and affected another nearby mine.

Balochistan Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif confirmed to Dawn that “all 34 bodies of coal miners trapped” in the mines have been recovered.

He added that the last two bodies were recovered after hectic search efforts. The bodies of 32 miners were recovered on Friday.

Atif said both mines were sealed after the rescue operation was completed and a probe into the tragic incident has been ordered.

“A team of mining experts has been formed, which has initiated a probe into the incident,” the official said.

All of the miners hailed from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district, Atif said, adding that their bodies have been dispatched to their native villages.

“Twenty-three miners who lost their lives belonged to Pirabad alone,” he added.

Abid Yaar, president of the Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association, said on Friday that Mian Kalay in Pir Abad — from where at least 23 of the miners hailed — had become an epicentre of repeated coal mine tragedies.

He added that the victims, aged between 17 and 25, belonged to the same families and were cousins or close relatives. According to Yaar, several of the deceased were orphans whose fathers had also lost their lives in previous coal mine accidents.

Out of the 34 miners, 24 were working about 4,000 feet underground in the first mine where the methane gas explosion occurred, while the rest were working in another nearby mine.

Deadly mine explosions are common in Balochistan, with stakeholders often pointing out the absence of essential safety protocols.

Coal mining has historically been fraught with hazards, which are similar to those associated with the aftermath of natural disasters: suffocation, gas poisoning, roof collapse, rock burst, gas explosions and a plethora of lung diseases, including incurable diseases like coalworker’s pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease.

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Friday said the sacrifices of security forces would not go in vain, vowing that the state would not retreat “even an inch” in its fight against terrorism.

Addressing the 20th training course at the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) Training School in Quetta, he accused anti-state elements of carrying out terrorist attacks to destabilise Pakistan while simultaneously launching propaganda campaigns to blame the state and create unrest.

CM Bugti urged political parties not to politicise terrorism, saying the country needed national unity and institutional stability rather than political divisions.

He said the Balochistan Police, ATF, Counter-Terrorism Depart­m­ent (CTD) and Special Operations Wing (SOW) were playing a frontline role in combating terrorism. He added that the provincial government was committed to transforming these units into stronger, modern and more effective fighting forces.

He announced that the units would be equipped with advanced weapons, modern equipment, specialised training and all necessary resources to enhance their operational capabilities.

He alleged that Baloch youth were being pushed into a “futile war” that had brought only violence, underdevelopment and the loss of educational and economic opportunities. He said the government remained open to those willing to renounce violence and return to the national mainstream, with rehabilitation, education, employment and social reintegration programmes already in place.

However, he warned that those seeking to impose their ideology through armed violence would not succeed.

The chief minister also annou­n­ced an increase in salaries and allo­­wances for personnel serving in the ATF, CTD and Special Operations Wing. He said the provincial government would further strengthen support for families of fallen security personnel, including taking responsibility for the welfare and education of their children.

To improve the force’s capacity, CM Bugti approved a Rs150 million grant for upgrading the infrastructure of the ATF Training School, ordered an increase in trainers’ basic salaries and directed a review of feeding charges for trainees.

Speaking on occasion, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Balochistan Muhammad Tahir Khan said the police continued to play a frontline role in safeguarding lives and property and combating terrorism alongside other law enforcement agencies, adding that the sacrifices of police martyrs would never be forgotten.

The IGP said 284 Balochistan police personnel, including three women constables, had successfully completed the course.

Congratulating the graduating officers on their outstanding performance, Mr Khan said that, for the first time in Balochistan’s history, three female constables from the district police had received formal anti-terrorism training alongside their male counterparts.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

In a statement on X, the ministry said representatives from all chambers of commerce spoke about the security situation in their respective provinces and the challenges they were facing.

For his part, Naqvi briefed the delegation on the overall security situation in the country, particularly in KP and Balochistan, and the steps taken by the government in this regard, the statement added.

“He assured the business community of complete cooperation,” it stated, further quoting Naqvi as saying: “The government will employ all available resources to resolve the issues of traders and industrialists and ensure their protection.”

He further said that he would soon visit Peshawar and Quetta and hold detailed meetings with the business community in the presence of senior government officials and representatives so that “a permanent and practical solution” for the challenges being faced by traders and industrialists could be worked out.

He further said, “The private sector plays a key role in stabilising the country’s economy. Pakistan’s progress lies in the progress of the business community. The government is with you and we will resolve all your legitimate issues.”

Naqvi’s meeting with members of the business community takes place against the backdrop of security challenges in KP and Balochistan.

A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Earlier this month, security forces and law enforcement personnel jointly launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6. During that assault, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers.

Later, security forces also launched Operation Al-Azm in the province after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others last week.

More recently, in KP, nine policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred and 28 others injured after terrorists attacked the Khazina Banda checkpost in Hangu district late on Wednesday.

A statement issued by KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed said that the checkpost was attacked by Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Also on Wednesday, a policeman was martyred and four terrorists were killed during an operation in Swat’s Matta tehsil.

On July 24, terrorists also attempted to breach a joint police checkpost’s perimeter in Tank, and according to ISPR, the attempt was “swiftly and decisively foiled” by security forces, who eliminated 12 terrorists.

On Thursday, Naqvi had held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, during which both reviewed the country’s overall law and order situation, with particular focus on the security situation in KP and Balochistan.

The interior minister had briefed the president on the prevailing law and order situation in the two provinces, as well as the ongoing measures being taken to combat terrorism.

The explosion occurred on Thursday at a private coal mine in the Sorange coalfield, about 30 kilometres northeast of Quetta. The methane gas explosion triggered a fire, caused the mine to collapse, and affected another nearby mine.

Chief Inspector of Mines Balochistan Muhammad Atif told Dawn that 34 miners were inside the two mines when the explosion occurred.

“So far, 32 bodies have been recovered from both mines,” he said. “The operation is continuing in the mine where the explosion took place to recover two miners.”

Earlier, officials said the explosion occurred on Thursday afternoon when 24 miners were working about 4,000 feet underground in the first mine. Soon after the explosion, a fire broke out inside the mine, causing parts of the structure to collapse.

The blast was heard over a wide area of Sorange.

The explosion severely affected another mine near the main site, with 12 miners working in the second mine at the time.

Mining engineers and workers had created alternative routes to access the affected mines, but the presence of large quantities of methane gas and the fire created major hurdles in reaching the bodies and trapped miners deep underground.

Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosher­wani announced that the provincial government would provide Rs500,000 compensation to the families of each deceased miner, while Rs300,000 would be paid to every injured worker. He also said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident.­

In June, three people were injured after explosive material used in mining had accidentally detonated in Quetta division’s Khanuzai area. In April, three coal miners were killed in a mine accident in Bolan.

Officials said the blast occurred at a private coal mine in the afternoon when 24 miners were working about 4,000 feet underground. Soon after the explosion, a fire broke out inside the mine, causing parts of the structure to collapse. The blast was heard over a wide area of Sorange.

The explosion severely affected another mine located near the main site. Twelve miners working in the second mine were also trapped. “A total of 36 coal miners were present inside both mines when the blast occurred,” Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif told Dawn.

He said teams from the Mines and Minerals Department and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) launched a rescue operation after reaching Sorange. He added that 21 miners were missing until late Thursday night as the operation continued.

Fire, toxic gases hamper operation at Sorange coalfield

“We pray for the lives of the trapped miners, but the chances of survival appear bleak as the coal mines caught fire soon after the blast, blocking access to the mine entrances,” Atif said.

The chief inspector said the explosion was believed to have been caused by the accumulation of methane gas at a depth of around 4,000 feet, triggering a fire and filling the mine with hazardous gases. He said most coal mine explosions in Balochistan occurred due to the presence of methane gas.

Mining engineers and workers created alternative routes to access the affected mines, but the presence of large quantities of methane gas and the ongoing fire created major hurdles in reaching the bodies and trapped miners deep underground.

Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosher­wani said rescuers had recovered the bodies of 15 miners and were continuing efforts despite serious challenges caused by toxic gases, fire, and collapsed tunnels.

He said all available resources had been mobilised to rescue the remaining trapped workers.

“We share the grief of the bereaved families and will leave no stone unturned in completing the rescue operation,” the minister said.

Nosherwani announced that the provincial government would provide Rs500,000 compensation to the families of each deceased miner, while Rs300,000 would be paid to every injured worker. He also said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident.­

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Muha­m­mad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najmuddin Mengal passed the orders while hearing a constitutional petition filed by Advocate Syed Nazir Agha.

During the hearing, Chief Minister Quetta Devel­opment Package (CMQDP) Project Dir­ector Muhammad Rafiq Baloch presented a report and video presentation on traffic management along Zargh­oon Road, Railway Station Chowk and Imdad Chowk.

The report, based on a traffic survey, showed that 9,144 vehicles passed through Railway Station Chowk daily during peak hours. The study concluded that constructing a new U-turn near Imdad Chowk would worsen congestion rather than easing traffic.

The court accepted the findings and directed the authorities to retain the existing traffic model while improving the current U-turn.

The court also expressed concern over drainage chambers on Zarghoon Road and Inskumb Road being clogged with construction debris, garbage and animal waste, resulting in blocked drainage.

The court ordered the immediate removal of all encroachments, temporary stalls, cabins and unauthorised parking along both sides of Zarghoon Road.

The bench further instructed officials implementing the Safe City Project not to excavate newly constructed roads and footpaths for laying cables or installing poles without prior approval.

Regarding the widening of the Koila Phatak railway crossing, the court noted that a memorandum of understanding between the Quetta Metropolitan Corporation and Pakistan Railways had been implemented and the required payment had been made.

It also expressed serious concern over traffic congestion caused by the Frontier Corps checkpoint near Imdad Chowk and termed the pace of work on Sariab Service Road unsatisfactory.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

On Tuesday, unidentified armed men had blocked Turbat-Mand Road in the Kalatak area of Kech district and taken away the seven labourers, who were travelling in a vehicle.

The kidnappers had killed one of the labourers the same day and dumped his body on a highway.

On Thursday, the bodies of the remaining six labourers were also found, Balochistan Home Department spokesperson Babar Yousafzai told Dawn.

He said the kidnappers had taken the labourers to an undisclosed location, where one of them was killed shortly after the abduction and his body was dumped on the highway.

They later also killed the six remaining labourers, whose bodies were found in Turbat’s Nasirabad area, he added.

Yousafzai said the bodies bore torture marks and bullet wounds, and it seemed that the labourers had been shot at close range.

According to him, four of the deceased were from Punjab and two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They were working on a development project in Kech district, and their bodies were taken to the district headquarters hospital in Turbat for autopsy, he said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the killing of the six labourers “by Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists” — a term the state uses to refer to groups it accuses of being sponsored by India to execute terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, the minister said the terrorists “demonstrated the worst brutality” by murdering the labourers.

He also termed the incident an “attack on Balochistan’s progress and employment for the public”.

Naqvi asserted that the “beasts who brutally murdered six non-local labourers deserved no leniency”.

Balochistan has been facing security challenges, and a monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The report said Balochistan emerged as the most affected province during the month. The province recorded 71 terrorist attacks, compared with 34 in April, representing a 109pc increase.

The deteriorating security situation was further reflected in a surge in kidnappings, it said. Of the 54 abductions reported nationwide during May, 52 occurred in Balochistan alone, highlighting the growing operational reach and confidence of terrorist groups in the province, it said.

Four employees of a private construction company were also kidnapped from the province’s Khuzdar district the same day when the seven labourers were kidnapped. The officials included a project manager, a surveyor and a technical lab assistant, who were working on a flood protection project in the Karkh area of Khuzdar.

Last week, three excise officials were abducted at gunpoint following an attack on their department’s checkpost on the Dalbandin–Taftan Highway in Balochistan’s Chagai district.

According to sources, around 30 armed men had surrounded the checkpost that was set up temporarily for routine checking, held the officials on duty at gunpoint and later abducted them. The sources added that the attackers also took away two official vehicles and weapons.

Authorities took the woman’s husband, Farhan Magsi, into custody on suspicion of involvement in the shooting, Airport Police Station SHO Maqsood Gujar said. The woman was identified as Ms Daud and her son as Muhammad Habib.

The child and the woman’s body were taken to Civil Hospital Quetta for treatment and legal formalities. Police transferred the case to the Serious Crimes Investigation Unit for further probe.

Ms Daud was divorced from her first husband, with whom she had the 7-year-old boy, and later married Magsi, her sister said.

The sister appealed to Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti to ensure those responsible are brought to justice and given the maximum punishment under the law.

Provincial Home Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langove took notice of the killing and sought an immediate report from police officials. He said anyone found responsible after the investigation will be brought to justice.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026

The meeting of the officers was held in the Hub industrial town and marked the first formal joint strategy session between the Sindh and Balochistan police leadership on border security and coordinated law enforcement.

The meeting was attended by Additional Inspector General Karachi Azad Khan, Additional IG Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Zulfiqar Larak, DIG West Irfan Baloch, DIG Asad Raza, SSP West Tariq Elahi Mastoi, SSP Keamari Singhar Malik, and SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur from Sindh police.

Balochistan was represented by DIG Kalat Range Wazir Khan Nasar, SSP Hub Mirza Bilal Hassan, DSP Hub Imam Baloch, and Special Branch Regional Officer Zulfiqar Baloch.

Police officials from both provinces hold meeting in Hub to strengthen cooperation; discuss measures to curtail drug, weapons smuggling and car theft

The police officials of both the provinces discussed measures to prevent the movement of terrorists, smugglers and undocumented people across the Sindh-Balochistan border.

They reviewed proposals to introduce joint police patrols from both provinces on highways and other routes connecting Sindh and Balochistan.

The meeting approved the construction of new security check posts in strategic border areas to improve surveillance and strengthen law enforcement coordination.

The officers pledged to enhance intelligence sharing and inter-provincial coordination in future operations aimed at combating crime and maintaining security.

It was decided that the next coordination meeting between the two provincial police forces will be held in Sindh.

Karachi police chief Azad Khan told Dawn that they would hold regular meetings to take ‘practical steps’ against drug and weapons smugglers.

He said it had been noticed that vehicles stolen in Karachi were being taken to and sold in Balochistan and a cell had been formed in order to check this menace.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026

QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a $14 billion tri-state gas terminal in Gwadar with investment from Turkmenistan and directed the senior member of the Board of Revenue to ensure that the province’s rights were fully protected in the project.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, provincial ministers Mir Zahoor Buledi and Mir Ziaullah Langove said the proposed terminal would also supply natural gas to the districts of Gwadar, Panjgur, Chagai and Washuk.

The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, began with prayers for security personnel and civilians martyred in recent terrorist attacks.

Buledi said the cabinet considered a 26-point agenda and reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism. He added that the government would not allow terrorist networks to operate on Balochistan’s soil.

The cabinet approved a series of major decisions aimed at improving public welfare, strengthening law and order, expanding educational opportunities, enhancing local governance and accelerating development across the province.

It approved scholarships for 300 children under Phase III of the Workers Welfare Board Scholarship Programme. Officials said 781 children had already benefited from the scheme.

The cabinet approved the release of Rs858 million for the security of seven projects under the South Balochistan Package launched in 2021.

The cabinet also cleared the grant of university status to Tameer-i-Nau College, the establishment of a child protection helpline, the Balochistan Child Protection Rules 2026, amendments to the Balochistan Cadet Colleges Act, and renewal of the service agreement for the Quetta Safe City Project.

Buledi said the cabinet also approved the completion of the Sibi-Harnai Road project, estimated to cost Rs19bn, on an 80:20 cost-sharing basis with the federal government, with the Centre contributing more than Rs15bn and the province over Rs3bn.

The government also renewed the no-objection certificate for the Parco Coastal Refinery project, subject to the payment of land charges at current market rates, and the commencement of investment within two years.

The cabinet further approved the grant of ownership rights to residents of Kalanch and New Town in Gwadar, the creation of Kandhkot and Manjoti tehsils and Kandhkot subdivision, and the upgradation of Mezai and Musizai to municipal committees.

Home Minister Langove said damaged Safe City cameras would be restored within 10 days and confirmed that investigations into the Patel Road blast were underway.

He added that the fuel tankers burnt in Chagai had violated government convoy standard operating procedures and were not part of the officially authorised convoy.

The cabinet formally declared the entire province a police area following the merger of the Levies Force into the police.

It also approved the appointment of SP Nabeel Ahmed as chief operating officer of the Balochistan Safe City Authority, endorsed the formation of a parole board on the recommendation of the home department, and sanctioned the establishment of a new police station in Marble City, Hub, to enhance security for industrial and commercial activities.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026

The attackers opened fire indiscriminately and fled, leaving three men dead at the scene, officials said.

Police rushed to the scene after receiving information about the attack and shifted the bodies to a nearby health facility. The victims were identified as Shah Baig, son of tribal elder Sardar Aziz Bizenjo, and his two friends, Amanullah and Altaf Hussain.

No motive was immediately known, and police said they were conducting raids to apprehend the attackers.

Baig’s older brother and religious scholar Mufti Shah Mir Aziz Bizenjo, was killed by unidentified gunmen in Turbat two years ago.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said “comprehensive joint operations” were carried out in various parts of the two provinces, in continuation of action against the “terrorists nexus of India-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan”.

The state uses the term Fitna-al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and has designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

ISPR said that the operations in KP and Balochistan were aimed at weeding out terrorists and their facilitators.

Multiple “intelligence-based area sanitisation and targeted operations” were conducted in KP’s Khyber on July 28 and 29, during which 24 terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij were killed, it said.

Meanwhile, eight terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan were killed after an “intense engagement” in Balochistan’s Nushki during multiple intelligence-based operations, ISPR added.

“Weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by terrorists were also recovered and destroyed during the operations,” it said.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement read.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended security forces for their “bravey and professional capabilities” during the operations, according to a series of posts on the ministry’s X account.

“Security forces eliminated 32 terrorists in a decisive manner, thereby thwarting their nefarious designs. The successes of the security forces in establishing peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are commendable,” the ministry added.

“The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces for the complete eradication of the cancer of Fitna-al-Hindustan,” it said.

“The terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan will find no place to hide anywhere,” the ministry concluded, quoting Naqvi.

The latest operations by the security forces in KP and Balochistan take place as the two provinces continue to face security challenges.

Earlier this month, security forces and law enforcement personnel jointly launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6. During that assault, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers.

Later, security forces also launched Operation Al-Azm in the province after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others last week.

In KP, terrorists attempted to breach a joint police checkpost’s perimeter in Tank on July 24, and according to ISPR, the attempt was “swiftly and decisively foiled” by security forces, who eliminated 12 terrorists.

A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The report said Balochistan emerged as the most affected province during the month. The province recorded 71 terrorist attacks, compared with 34 in April, representing a 109pc increase.

The deteriorating security situation was further reflected in a surge in kidnappings, it said. Of the 54 abductions reported nationwide during May, 52 occurred in Balochistan alone, highlighting the growing operational reach and confidence of terrorist groups in the province, it said.

He said the issue was becoming increasingly serious and dangerous with each passing day.

Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday, along with other party leaders, he said the jirga would be held from August 29 to 31. He also announced that countrywide protest rallies and demonstrations would be held on August 5 to mark three years of imprisonment of former prime minister Imran Khan.

He said the proposed jirga would bring together political leaders, tribal elders and other stakeholders to deliberate on rising insecurity, attacks on highways, disruption of trade, burning of goods vehicles and the killing of judges, lawyers, political workers and civilians in the province. He added that after discussions, the jirga would prepare recommendations on how to address the issue.

Political leaders, tribal elders and stakeholders will participate in gathering to draft recommendations

Achakzai, who is also chairman of the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, alleging that frequent attacks had severely affected businesses and transport, leaving many people without livelihoods. He questioned what he described as the government’s failure to restore peace and ensure the protection of citizens’ lives, property and commercial activities.

He also criticised what he termed the limited role of Parliament and provincial assemblies in addressing public concerns and alleged restrictions on the media’s ability to report freely. He condemned the killing of civilians in Kashmir and called for solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

The PkMAP chief opposed the proposed division of districts in Balochistan’s Pashtun-majority areas, saying the move could create further complications. He announced that separate jirgas would also be convened to discuss administrative changes, with decisions to be made in consultation with local communities.

Referring to attacks on transporters, Achakzai claimed that buses, trucks, oil tankers and other commercial vehicles belonging to Pashtuns had been targeted in Balochistan. He warned that transporters could suspend operations if such incidents continued and urged the government to ensure the safety of transport and trade routes.

He also expressed concern over the killing of labourers in recent incidents and criticised the authorities’ handling of security-related events, including those in Hanna Urak and Ziarat. He qu­­estioned why no senior officials had been held accountable following the incidents.

Achakzai further alleged that extortion was being demanded from drivers of goods vehicles travelling on national highways and called on the government and security institutions to take effective action against those responsible. He also criticised what he described as high airfares on flights between Quetta and Islamabad, saying they had become unaffordable for many passengers.

Commenting on compensation for vehicles damaged in recent attacks, he said owners of 14 coal-laden trucks that were set on fire had each been offered Rs950,000, adding that affected transporters were demanding full compensation for their losses.

Achakzai reiterated that political and security challenges could not be resolved through the use of force alone. He called for strengthening democratic institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media, saying lasting peace and stability could only be achieved through constitutional and democratic means.

He also opposed the formation of tribal militias, arguing that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of state security institutions.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026

DSP Mureed Bugti was on routine patrol when armed men blocked Barkhan-Rakhni Road in the Khatta Chowki area, opened fire on their vehicle and attempted to kidnap him along with a police constable, a senior official of the Balochistan government confirmed.

However, officials said, police rushed to the area on receiving the information about the assault and started chasing them. In an ensuing encounter, DSP Mureed Bugti was martyred and the other cop wounded.

Barkhan SP Abdul Haq said that security forces launched a search operation in the area to trace out the attackers and their facilitators.

A search operation was underway in Rakhni, with additional security personnel called in to assist the operation, said Shahid Rind, aide to the chief minister for media and political affairs. He explained that security forces had surrounded the area for search.

Meanwhile, seven labourers and four employees of a private construction company working on different development projects in Balochistan were kidnapped in Kech and Khuzdar districts.

Officials said that armed men blocked Turbat-Mand Road in Kalatak area of Kech district and took away seven labourers travelling in a vehicle. Half of them were hailed from Punjab while one was Pashtun, and all of them were associated with a development project, officials said.

Babar Yousafzai, an aide to the home department, confirmed the kidnapping and said the kidnappers killed one of the hostages. “The body of the slain laborer recovered from the area who was identified as Javed,” Yousafzai told Dawn, adding that security forces launched an operation for their recovery.

Separately, armed men kidnapped four employees of a private construction company in the Karkh area of Khuzdar district, officials said.

“All the four officials of the private company were working at the emergency flood protection projects in the Karkh area,” police said.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026

The chief minister gave the assurance during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat with a delegation of doctors’ organisations, whose representatives briefed the chief minister on issues they are facing across the province.

The representatives included Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Quetta President Dr Nadeem Achakzai, Senior Vice President Dr Kamyar Khan, General Secretary Dr Shoaib Baloch, Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan members Dr Hafeez Mandokhail, Dr Ali Jan, Dr Adil and Dr Muzammil, as well as Jamal Shah of Allied Health Organisations.

The chief minister said the government was introducing reforms in consultation with all stakeholders to improve healthcare services for doctors, medical staff and the masses.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026

Ms Atta was serving in grade 20 as secretary for women development before her appointment to the post of Lasbela commissioner.

The move came as the Balochistan government issued notifications for the transfer and appoi­ntment of several senior officers, on Monday.

Officials claim that this is the first time in the province’s history that a woman has been appointed as commissioner of Lasbela division. Previously, the highest office held by a woman officer was that of deputy commissioner.

Ms Atta’s appointment means that both top officers in the division are women, as Hum­aira Bal­o­ch currently serves as the Lasbela deputy commissioner.

According to the notifications, Noor Ahmed Pirk­ani, who was awaiting posting, has been appointed as environment secretary, replacing Bashir Ahmed Ban­gulzai who has now been appointed as chairman of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT).

The outgoing CMIT chairman, Muhammad Ali Kakar, has been directed to report to the Services and General Administration Department for further assignment. The notification stated Sher Shah Ghilzai has been appointed as secretary for women development in place of Ms Atta, who has been posted as Lasbela commissioner.

While five women officers have earlier served as deputy commissioner in different areas, only two of them, Humaira Baloch in Lasbela and Farida Tareen in Sohbatpur, are currently serving.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026

During the visit, the minister toured the hospital’s outpatient department (OPD), specialised wards, MRI and CT scan units, and operation theatres. He commended Inspector General FC Balochistan (South) Major General Bilal Sarfraz Khan and his team for completing and making the modern medical facility operational within a short period.

Naqvi said he was pleased to see the hospital become fully functional so quickly, adding that Turbat had long needed a modern healthcare facility equipped with advanced medical services. He said that, in addition to serving FC personnel, the hospital would also provide quality medical treatment to the local population.

The interior minister was briefed on the healthcare services and facilities available at the hospital. Major General Bilal Sarfraz Khan also briefed him on the force’s professional training standards and ongoing field operations.

Praising the professionalism and operational preparedness of FC Balochistan (South), Naqvi acknowledged the force’s role in maintaining security in the province. He also paid tribute to FC personnel for what he described as successful operations against “Fitna al Hindustan” and other banned militant organisations operating in the region. Officials said the hospital would benefit security personnel as well as civilians.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026

Police officials, while confirming the incident, said that over a dozen suspected terrorists blocked the N-40 highway at Nokcha, intercepted five oil tankers and completely burnt them.

“The tankers were empty and were returning to the border town of Taftan for bringing Iranian oil,” an official said, adding that no loss of life was reported in the incident.

Armed men block N-40 in Chagai to carry out attack; two bodies recovered in Mashkay

Officials said the attackers, who were riding motorcycles, had escaped from the spot after setting the tankers ablaze before security forces reached the area after receiving information.

Bodies found

Separately, police found the bodies of two men in the Mashkay area of Balochistan and launched an investigation into the incident, officials said.

According to police, the bodies were shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities.

One of the deceased was identified as Imran, a resident of Khuzdar, while the identity of the second victim could not be immediately established.

After completion of legal procedures, the unidentified body was placed in the hospital morgue for identification, while police continued their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and identify the second victim.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of death or provided further details about the incident. Police said further investigation was underway.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026

QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has expressed confidence that lasting peace and stability will soon be restored across the province.

He said that recent measures taken by the government and law enforcement agencies were already yielding positive results in terms of public safety and normal life.

The governor emphasised that protecting the lives and property of citizens was the constitutional and administrative responsibility of the government.

In a statement issued on Sunday, he said that all available resources were being utilised to secure major national highways and trade routes, including the Chaman–Karachi, Taftan–Quetta, Quetta–Jacobabad, and Zhob corridors. These routes, he added, were vital for trade, transportation, connectivity, and regional integration.

Mandokhail acknowledged that ordinary citizens were the worst affected by unrest and instability.

He highlighted the difficulties faced by traders, farmers, and small business owners, stressing that sustainable peace was essential for economic growth, political stability, new investment, job creation, and overall prosperity in Balochistan.

He urged the people of the province, as well as political organisations, to cooperate with the government and law enforcement agencies in efforts to achieve lasting peace. “It is the responsibility of all political parties to play their role in safeguarding provincial and public interests,” he said.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Governor Mandokhail said the administration would remain determined to protect every citizen and strengthen the writ of the state in every district. He concluded that through collective efforts, the province could overcome its challenges and crises.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026

“Continuing intelligence-based operations under Operation Al-Azm against Fitna-al-Hindustan in Balochistan, security forces [have] killed 16 terrorists, destroyed multiple terrorist hideouts and recovered weapons and explosive materials,” state-run Pakistan TV reported.

The government uses the term “Fitna al-Hindustan” for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

Operation Al-Azm was launched after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others on Wednesday.

It takes place as Balochistan continues to face security challenges, with the military saying on Wednesday that 10 terrorists had been killed and two suicide bombers and their facilitator had been apprehended during operations in Balochistan’s Mastung and Surab in a span of 48 hours.

Earlier this month, security forces and law enforcement personnel jointly launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6. During that assault, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers.

A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The report said Balochistan emerged as the most affected province during the month. The province recorded 71 terrorist attacks, compared with 34 in April, representing a 109pc increase.

The deteriorating security situation was further reflected in a surge in kidnappings, it said. Of the 54 abductions reported nationwide during May, 52 occurred in Balochistan alone, highlighting the growing operational reach and confidence of terrorist groups in the province, it said.

On July 9, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the country’s civil and military leadership had taken a “mutual and singular decision” to end terrorism after multiple major terrorist incidents in Balochistan.

He made the remarks at a meeting in Quetta of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir also present.

On Saturday, the federal and Baloch­is­tan governments reaffir­m­­ed their commitment to strengthening security coordination, accelerating the implementation of a comprehensive peace strategy, and ensuring the writ of the state across the province, declaring there would be “no space for terrorists” in the province.

The commitment was made during a high-level law and order meeting co-chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta.

CM Bugti briefed participants on the prevailing security situation, progress in ongoing operations, and the strategy for addressing security challenges. The meeting decided to further enhance the professional capacity of the Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Force and the provincial police, while expediting previously approved reforms to strengthen the force.