A militant group has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in southwest Pakistan this week.
Authorities in the Balochistan province clashed with armed separatists who want the region to become an independent state from Pakistan.
Authorities say gunmen targetted civilians on a major highway on Monday and led separate attacks on police stations.
According to UN estimates, 39 people were killed in the violence. However, some media outlets have reported at least 70 deaths.
Balochistan Liberation Army
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for this week’s attacks.
Formed in 2000, the militant group has carried out several attacks against the Pakistani Government and its political and economic ties to China.
BLA’s main motivation is to establish an independent state which would include part of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
The U.S. Government added BLA to a global terrorist list in 2019.
Attacks
In an overnight attack on Monday, 39 people were reportedly shot dead after being taken from buses, cars, and trucks in Musakhail, a district in Balochistan.
Authorities say the attackers burned at least 10 vehicles before fleeing.
In a separate incident in the Qalat district,12 people were reportedly killed during violent clashes between security forces and armed militants.
BLA claimed its ‘operations’ this week led to the deaths of 130 armed forces personnel.
Response
The Pakistani Government has issued a statement expressing “deep sorrow and regret” for the victims of “the worst incident of terrorism” the region has seen.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, “BLA militants showed brutality by targeting innocent people”. He promised an investigation into what he called “a conspiracy to create instability in Pakistan.”
Federal and local governments said they’re working on safety measures to bring stability to the region.
BLA denies claims it deliberately targeted civilians.
A statement from the group accused undercover Pakistani military personnel of setting fire to “several civilian vehicles to create mistrust between the Baloch public and the fighters.”
A spokesperson for the group said 22 military and police personnel were taken into “BLA custody” during Monday’s attacks, but that the detainees were “released unharmed”.
United Nations
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric condemned the attack on civilians in the Balochistan province, which he called “unacceptable.”
The UN has called on the Government of Pakistan “to conduct an investigation and to ensure that those responsible are held to account.”
