Islamabad, Feb 1: Violent clashes have erupted across several parts of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, leaving at least 129 people dead, according to security officials and media reports.

Pakistan’s security forces said they foiled a series of coordinated attacks carried out by separatist gunmen at multiple locations in Balochistan on Saturday.

In retaliatory operations launched after civilians were killed, security forces said at least 67 “terrorists” were shot dead. With this, the total number of gunmen killed across the province over the past two days has reached 108, media outlets reported.

State broadcaster Pakistan Television said armed group members launched simultaneous attacks at more than a dozen locations, including Quetta, Nushki, Dalbandin, Pasni, and Gwadar. The banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attacks.

Ten police personnel and security forces were also killed in the clashes, while several others were injured. In Gwadar, gunmen targeted unarmed laborers, killing 11 civilians, including five men, three women, and three children.

Security forces said all attackers involved in the incidents have been neutralized. Meanwhile, police officials said 27 prisoners escaped by exploiting the chaos during an attack on Mastung jail.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reached Quetta and held meetings with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and senior military and civilian officials to review the security situation.

The violence in Quetta began with a powerful explosion, followed by nearly two hours of heavy gunfire. Security forces sealed sensitive areas and imposed heightened alert. Due to security concerns, all train services to and from Quetta have been suspended, and internet services have been shut down in affected areas.

According to the Pakistani army’s media wing, operations based on intelligence inputs in Harnai and Panjgur districts led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons and ammunition. Thirty gunmen were killed in fierce clashes in Harnai, while 11 were killed in Panjgur after security forces targeted militant hideouts.

Balochistan, a resource rich province with vast reserves of natural gas, coal, copper, and gold, has long witnessed violence targeting security forces, government institutions, and civilians.

Groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have also targeted major projects, including those linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Officials say local grievances, rugged terrain, and cross border links have allowed militant groups to remain active, making counterterrorism operations in the region increasingly difficult.