Separatist militants have killed 39 in ‘coordinated’ overnight attacks in southwest Pakistan.
Government officials says the gunmen has targeted ethnic Punjabis.
In one of the attacks, dozens of militants stopped vehicles travelling on a highway through Balochistan province and shot 23 people dead — one of the worst shootings in the region in the past several years.
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The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most active militant separatist group in the province, claimed responsibility for an overnight operation in a statement sent to AFP.
Report say on January 18, 2024, Pakistan conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, claiming it had struck hideouts belonging to Baloch separatist insurgents engaged in conflict against Pakistan.
Also, On March 17, 2024, a militant group known as Jaish-e-Fursan-e-Muhammad took responsibility for an attack; Pakistani officials believe the members to be part of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).