Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday warned India against its continued involvement in fuelling unrest in Balochistan, stating that any direct or indirect threat to Pakistan’s territorial integrity would be met with a stern and decisive response.
Addressing participants of the 18th National Workshop on Balochistan at General Headquarters (GHQ), Field Marshal Asim Munir said Indian-sponsored proxy groups were actively destabilising the province through violence, terrorism and sabotage of development initiatives.
“Indian-sponsored proxies continue to propagate violence and disrupt development in Balochistan,” the army chief said, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security forces would thwart hostile designs through firm and sustained action aimed at eliminating terrorism and restoring lasting peace in the province.
Terrorist Violence During 2025
Balochistan witnessed sustained militant violence throughout 2025, with at least 252 terrorist attacks claiming 419 lives.
Among the most significant incidents was the March 11 hijacking of the Jaffar Express passenger train. Other major attacks included coordinated bombings targeting, civilians, security convoys and passenger buses, —and repeated acts of sabotage against infrastructure linked to the development of Balochistan.
Security officials say these attacks are part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored terrorism directed from India, aimed at undermining peace, disrupting strategic projects, and weakening Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Appreciation for People of Balochistan, Focus on Development
In his address, the CDF praised the resilience and patriotism of the people of Balochistan, highlighting the province’s pivotal role in Pakistan’s long-term prosperity and development.
He lauded the wide-ranging initiatives being undertaken by the federal and provincial governments, emphasising a people-centric development approach focused on improving socio-economic conditions and unlocking the province’s vast economic potential.
Field Marshal Asim Munir also acknowledged the constructive role of civil society, particularly in countering propaganda and contributing to sustainable development efforts.
He stressed the need to reject vested political agendas, underlining that Balochistan’s future must be shaped by stability, inclusion, and long-term prosperity for all its residents.
No Large-Scale Military Operation, Says CM Bugti
Addressing a press conference earlier this month, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the province had witnessed around 900 terror incidents, resulting in the deaths of 280 civilians, 205 security personnel, and six officers, including two from Balochistan.
He said security forces had conducted thousands of intelligence-based operations (IBOs), killing 706 terrorists who were attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghanistan to plan attacks.
Bugti clarified that no large-scale military operation was underway in Balochistan, stressing that only targeted intelligence-based actions were being carried out.
India’s Role and International Developments
Islamabad has consistently raised the issue of India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), of providing financial, logistical and training support to banned Baloch insurgent groups, particularly the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
Pakistan views recent international developments — including the United States’ designation of the BLA as a terrorist organisation in 2025 — as reinforcing its long-standing position regarding India’s alleged use of proxy groups to destabilise Balochistan.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated that any violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity, “whether direct or indirect,” would draw a firm and decisive response.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion in which the CDF addressed participants’ questions and shared further insights into ongoing security and development efforts in Balochistan.
