Separatist group claims deadliest day in recent history in Pakistan's Balochistan and threatens more
A separatist group has claimed responsibility for the deadliest day in recent history in Pakistan’s Balochistan and warned that “even more intense and widespread” attacks are coming
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A separatist group claimed responsibility Tuesday for the deadliest day in recent history in Pakistan's Balochistan and warned that “even more intense and widespread" attacks were coming, while the prime minister declared there would not be peace talks with the insurgents who also have targeted Chinese-funded projects there.
The multiple attacks in southwestern Pakistan killed more than 50 people, mostly civilians. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army group insisted it did not harm civilians and claimed that 800 of its well-trained fighters took part in the shootings and bombings that began late Sunday.
The attacks indicate that the BLA, which has targeted security forces for years in small-scale attacks and is allied with the Pakistani Taliban, is now much more organized.
But Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told a Cabinet meeting there would be no peace talks with the group. And Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Quetta, Balochistan's capital, there was no need for a large-scale operation, saying the insurgents can eliminated by police.
