Balochistan Unrest: PM Shehbaz Blames India Amid Surge in Rebel Attacks

Islamabad: Pakistan is facing escalating unrest in Balochistan, with attacks by rebel groups creating widespread chaos. The Pakistani military is reportedly struggling to maintain control, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to lash out at India in a recent speech.

Shehbaz Sharif’s Remarks on India and Balochistan
Addressing a special session of the Pakistan-administered Kashmir assembly in Muzaffarabad, Shehbaz Sharif accused India of using proxy groups to spread terrorism inside Pakistan. He stated, “Until India abandons its aggressive and expansionist designs and its nefarious conspiracies, lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved.”

Recalling the April–May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, Sharif claimed India suffered a “humiliating defeat” and suggested that India is now attempting to destabilize Pakistan indirectly.

Comments on Kashmir
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for Kashmir, saying, “Today we gather to demonstrate solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Pakistan stands with them unwaveringly. The sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go in vain. I pay tribute to the martyrs of the independence movement. History shows that Kashmiris are willing to sacrifice their children, but never their freedom.”

BLA Attacks Intensify Pressure on Pakistan
Sharif’s statements come amid a wave of attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) across the province. On January 31, rebels targeted Pakistani security forces in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Pasni, resulting in significant casualties among military personnel. Social media footage shows Pakistani soldiers reportedly fleeing in fear, and reports suggest parts of Balochistan may now be under rebel control.

Pakistan Army Responds with Propaganda
In response, the Pakistan Army’s public relations wing, ISPR, claimed that Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 1 was successfully completed, reporting the elimination of at least 216 “terrorists” in coordinated clearance operations. The ISPR statement also noted casualties among civilians, including 36 women and children, and 22 security personnel.

The ongoing violence and political rhetoric highlight the growing instability in Balochistan and its potential regional implications, while the conflict continues to strain Pakistan’s internal security apparatus.