QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove has said there were no “no-go areas” in the province, though terrorists remained active along the Quetta-Karachi national highway and security forces were conducting operations against them.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, Mr Langove accused armed groups of carrying out terrorism and extortion in the name of an “independence struggle” and urged people to support the state and national institutions in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Langove thanked the people of Balochistan for celebrating Independence Day with enthusiasm and praised the security forces for maintaining security across the province.

He highlighted healthcare facilities provided in Kalat and Khaliqabad, saying residents, particularly women, had previously faced difficulties transporting patients to hospitals because ambulances were unavailable. The government had provided 30 to 35 ambulances in the two areas, he said, but alleged that terrorists had taken them away.

Minister says terrorists use violence as a cover for extortion, intimidation at the directive of external forces

According to Mr Langove, women had appealed to the terrorists in the name of the Quran not to take the ambulances, but their pleas were ignored. He said the groups were not fighting for independence or people’s rights but were depriving local communities of basic facilities and trying to impose their narrative on young people and women.

The minister said that terrorist groups were backed by India and Afghanistan and that their leaders were controlled by external forces. He also accused terrorists of collecting extortion money from local landowners.

He urged the Baloch people to consider the future of their children and stay away from violence while cooperating with the government and state institutions.

Responding to a question, Mr Langove acknowledged the presence of terrorists along the Quetta-Karachi RCD National Highway. He said government action against terrorists was sometimes criticised by political and public circles and urged them to support the state in dealing with the security situation.

The minister also disclosed that his convoy came under attack while he was returning from Kalat after attending Independence Day events. He said he was travelling in an SSP vehicle when terrorists attempted to target his vehicle.

One of the vehicles in the convoy came under fire during an exchange of gunfire. Police, the Anti-Terrorism Force and Frontier Corps personnel accompanying him confronted the attackers.

Six security personnel were injured, he said. They were evacuated and taken to Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Hospital before being shifted to the Trauma Centre in Quetta after receiving initial treatment.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2026