Pakistan Army Declares No Plans for Mass Evacuations in Balochistan Operations

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan Army has clarified that it does not plan to evacuate entire areas in Balochistan to carry out military operations against militants, according to the military’s top spokesman. He reaffirmed that Balochistan, despite ongoing unrest, will remain an integral part of Pakistan.

Balochistan, the country’s largest and most underdeveloped province, has witnessed a prolonged insurgency which has escalated recently. Separatist militants have targeted security forces, government officials, and non-local residents in various attacks.

In response, the military has launched intelligence-driven operations. However, militant groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade faction continue to orchestrate coordinated attacks, including a hostage crisis on a passenger train earlier this year and a deadly assault on a school bus that injured and killed children.

Speaking at a military internship event in Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stressed that the army does not intend to clear out entire communities and then withdraw, only for militants to return once troops leave.

“We are not interested in evacuating entire areas, deploying troops, clearing localities, and then claiming peace is restored, because the army cannot be permanently stationed there,” he said. “Once the army leaves, the terrorists would return.”

Chaudhry highlighted the need for a strategic approach that involves cooperation with local populations and administration to identify terrorists, their supporters, and facilitators.

He also assured that the military does not target innocent civilians, but warned that anyone aiding terrorism—such as by harboring militants or storing explosives—will face consequences.

Emphasizing national unity, the spokesperson said Balochistan would always be part of Pakistan, citing its ethnic diversity and strong ties with the rest of the country.

The remarks come amid a surge in violence in the resource-rich province. Recently, the United States officially designated the BLA and the Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organizations.

Separatist groups accuse Islamabad of exploiting Balochistan’s resources for the benefit of other regions, charges which the federal government denies, asserting its commitment to the province’s development.