UN Calls for Justice After Wave of Attacks in Pakistan

News Desk

New York/Islamabad: The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday condemned in the strongest terms the recent wave of deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan’s Balochistan province, calling them “heinous and cowardly” and urging that those responsible be brought to justice.

In a press statement issued at UN Headquarters in New York, the 15-member Council said the reprehensible acts of terrorism resulted in the loss of 48 Pakistani lives, including 31 civilians — among them five women and three children. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The statement, issued by the UK’s Charge d’Affaires James Kariuki in his capacity as the current Security Council president, expressed the Council’s deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of Pakistan, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. It underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of the attacks accountable and urged all states, in line with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to actively cooperate with Pakistan in this regard.

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The Security Council reiterated that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever and by whomsoever committed, and stressed the need for states to combat terrorism in accordance with the UN Charter and international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Balochistan’s Counterterrorism Operation

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s security forces launched sweeping counterterrorism operations across Balochistan following coordinated attacks that struck nearly a dozen towns over three days beginning January 31. 

According to security sources, 197 militants linked to what authorities described as India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan were killed during the operations.

The attacks brought Pakistan’s largest province to a near standstill as terrorists targeted civilians in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Gwadar and Pasni. Security officials said 36 civilians, including women and children, were martyred in the attacks, while 22 soldiers laid down their lives defending the country and protecting civilians.

A day before the latest assaults, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), reported that security forces had killed 41 insurgents in two separate operations. 

In a subsequent statement, the ISPR said terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan deliberately targeted 18 innocent civilians — including women, children, elderly people and labourers — in Gwadar and Kharan to disrupt daily life and development in the province.

Security forces and law enforcement agencies responded immediately, launching intense clearance and sanitisation operations that resulted in the killing of 92 terrorists, including three suicide bombers, in the initial phase. 

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The ISPR said security personnel displayed “unwavering courage and professional excellence” in thwarting what it described as the terrorists’ evil designs.

However, the operations also led to the martyrdom of 15 security personnel who fought gallantly during intense standoffs. Sanitisation operations are continuing to bring to justice the instigators, facilitators and abettors of the attacks.

The ISPR further stated that intelligence reports had “unequivocally confirmed” the attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorist ringleaders operating from outside Pakistan, who remained in direct communication with the attackers throughout the incidents.

The BLA has intensified attacks in recent years, particularly targeting Pakistanis from other provinces working in Balochistan as well as foreign energy-related projects. Last year, the group carried out a major assault on a passenger train carrying 450 people, triggering a deadly two-day siege.