Khawaja Asif, the Defence Minister of Pakistan, has admitted that the Pakistani security forces were “handicapped” against Baloch rebels due to the sheer size of Balochistan province as they battle a fresh surge in militant violence. His remarks came days after Baloch rebels launched simultaneous attacks across multiple towns in the volatile province, killing at least 80 security personnel and destroying more than 30 government properties. Addressing Pakistan’s national assembly, Asif described the geographical challenges faced by troops in the country’s largest yet least populated province amid the serious security situation after separatist forces launched coordinated attacks across at least 12 locations, triggering one of the deadliest security crises in recent years. Authorities have said at least 177 insurgents were killed in sweeping counter-terror operations across the province.
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