More than 70 dead after militant attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan

HISTORY: Scores of people were killed in Pakistan's Balochistan province when separatist militants attacked police stations, railways and highways, accompanied by retaliatory attacks by security forces.

Officials said this on Monday (August 26).

The attacks were the largest in years, carried out by ethnic militants fighting for Balochistan's secession from the rest of the country.

The southwestern province is rich in natural resources and is also home to major Chinese-led projects.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the attacks were a calculated attempt to create chaos in Pakistan.

“We have a good idea of ​​who planned this and who is behind these attacks. These attacks are a well thought out plan and were carried out in one day. We consider them an attack on us. One thing is certain: the entire leadership has decided to respond with all its might.”

According to the Pakistani military, 14 soldiers and policemen and 21 militants were killed in the fighting following the largest attack, which targeted buses and trucks on a major highway.

The Prime Minister of Balochistan said that nearly 40 civilians were also killed.

The armed militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the operation.

In a statement to journalists, they said there had been further attacks over the past day that had not yet been confirmed by authorities early Monday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that security forces would retaliate and bring those responsible to justice.