Pakistan: Militant camps destroyed in Balochistan July 23

Event

On Sunday, July 23, security forces destroyed five militant camps in operations in Dera Bugti, Balochistan. According to a government spokesman, approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) of explosives, two remote controlled bombs, and hundreds of ammunition rounds were recovered. Three suspected militants were arrested during operations in Killa Abdullah and Loralai.

Context

The southwestern province of Balochistan has experienced a low-level insurgency by Baloch nationalists intermittently since 1948. Multiple Baloch separatist groups, such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Republican Army (BRA), demand increased political autonomy and control over natural resources within the province.

The Quetta region of Balochistan is part of the Chinese “Silk Road” economic corridor project that connects China’s Xinjiang region to the Arabian Sea. Beijing has invested USD 57 billion in road, rail, and power infrastructure in Pakistan as part of the project. Militants in Balochistan have carried out a number of attacks targeting construction sites in recent months.

Advice

Individuals in Balochistan are advised to remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.

Due to a high threat from terrorism throughout Pakistan, as well as kidnapping and sectarian violence, some Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to the country. Foreign nationals, and in particular Westerners, may be directly targeted.