Pakistan reports 145 militants killed after coordinated attacks

Pakistani security forces killed at least 145 militants during extensive operations in Balochistan, which, according to provincial Prime Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, represents the highest number of insurgents eliminated in such a short time since the escalation of the conflict.

In addition to the militants, 17 members of the security forces and 31 civilians were also killed. Responsibility for the attacks was claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army, which refers to the operation as "Black Storm."

The Pakistani army claims that the attacking militants are supported by India, but New Delhi has strongly denied this and accused Islamabad of diverting attention from its own internal problems.

The violence has once again highlighted the long-standing conflict in Pakistan's largest and poorest province, where ethnic Baloch have been demanding greater autonomy and a fairer share of natural resources for decades.

(reuters, mja)