Quetta, February 6: Mobile internet services in Quetta and several other areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan province remain suspended for the sixth consecutive day. However, train services have been partially restored. Local media reported that security conditions have improved somewhat following anti-terror operations, but internet services continue to be affected.
Hamza Shafqat, the Additional Chief Secretary of Balochistan, stated in an interview with Pakistan’s leading newspaper, Dawn, that mobile internet services in Quetta are still down, but there are hopes for restoration by midnight.
Reports indicate that mobile data services have also been disrupted in the districts of Nushki, Sibi, and Mastung. Due to ongoing security concerns, mobile internet services were suspended for varying periods in Panjgur, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, and Turbat.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Kashif, spokesperson for Pakistan Railways’ Quetta Division, announced the resumption of the Jafar Express and Bolan Mail services on the Quetta-Peshawar route, which had been suspended since January 31. Additionally, passenger train services between Quetta and Chaman have also restarted.
Pakistan’s security agencies claim that 216 militants were killed during the “Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1” conducted in response to attacks on January 31. According to the military’s media wing, ISPR, these operations resulted in the deaths of 36 civilians, including women and children, as well as 22 security personnel and law enforcement officers.
Notably, on January 31, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) announced the launch of the second phase of “Operation Heroof” in Balochistan. Following this announcement, reports emerged of attacks, explosions, and armed clashes targeting Pakistani military installations in several districts of the province.
BLA spokesperson Jiyand Baloch described this phase as a “decisive declaration of resistance,” asserting that it is against the “occupying state and all its military and administrative structures.” He claimed that with the support of the Baloch people, the organization would defeat the enemy in every city, street, and neighborhood.
The BLA stated that coordinated attacks were carried out in ten cities, including Quetta, Nushki, Mastung, Dalbandin, Kalat, Kharan, Gwadar, Pasni, Tump, and Buleda, under the second phase of “Operation Heroof.”
The organization claimed to have targeted Pakistani military and intelligence agency ISI installations, disrupted military activities in several areas, and forced the army to retreat in some locations.
In a separate message, BLA leader Bashir Zeb Baloch urged the people of Balochistan to take to the streets against Pakistani security forces and join the struggle.
