Pakistan's security forces have killed 54 militants during operations launched after a series of coordinated attacks in Balochistan over the past four days, while 42 civilians and security personnel also lost their lives in the violence, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on July 8, Dunya News reported.

Speaking at a press conference, the military spokesperson said the attacks targeted civilians, police personnel and soldiers in the Hanna Urak, Ziarat and Bela-Winder areas. He said the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), law enforcement agencies and intelligence services were continuing counterterrorism operations at multiple locations.

According to Chaudhry, the first attack took place on the night of July 4-5 in Hanna Urak, where armed militants attacked local residents. He said civilians resisted the assault before security forces responded, adding that four civilians were killed and six others injured.

The second incident occurred at a police checkpost guarding Mangi Dam's Pumping Station No. 3 in Ziarat district. Chaudhry said police personnel repelled the initial assault, killing 15 militants before reinforcements arrived. However, the attackers briefly took several police officers hostage, prompting security forces to avoid aerial strikes and instead continue ground operations to minimise civilian casualties. He said 27 police personnel were killed during the attack and subsequent clashes, while security forces eliminated a total of 26 militants during the ongoing operation.

In the third attack, an army convoy came under fire near the N-25 highway in the Bela-Winder area. Chaudhry said 11 soldiers, including one Junior Commissioned Officer, were killed in the fighting, while security forces killed 14 militants belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which the government refers to as "Fitna al-Hindustan".

He added that separate operations in Kharan and Dalbandin resulted in the deaths of another 14 militants, bringing the total number killed over the four-day period to 54.

The military spokesperson said the three major attacks claimed the lives of four civilians, 27 police personnel and 11 soldiers.

Chaudhry also repeated Pakistan's longstanding allegations that India was backing militant groups operating in Balochistan and claimed Afghan territory was being used to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan. India has consistently rejected allegations that it supports militant activity inside Pakistan.

The ISPR chief said security operations against militant groups and their alleged facilitators would continue, adding that the government remained committed to eliminating terrorism and restoring security across Balochistan.