The Balochistan government has imposed a ban on nighttime travel on national highways across the province, effective from 6 PM to 6 AM. The ban applies to major roads including Sibi Road, Zhob-DI Khan Road, Coastal Highway, Quetta-Taftan Highway, and Loralai-DG Khan Highway. The notification, issued by the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Kachhi, Zhob, Gwadar, Nushki, and Musakhail, aims to address the growing security concerns amid a deteriorating law and order situation in the region.
The decision follows a series of violent incidents, including a suicide bombing near a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) rally in Mastung’s Lak Pass. Just days before, terrorists targeted civilians and law enforcement officers in Kalat and Noshki, resulting in multiple fatalities.
Two days ago, armed men intercepted a Karachi-bound bus in Gwadar’s Kalmat area, executing five passengers after forcibly removing them from the vehicle. Additionally, an explosion on the Nushki-Dalbandin highway killed five, including three Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers, and injured 35 others.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has also claimed responsibility for recent attacks, including the bombing of a railway track and the hostage-taking of over 440 passengers aboard the Jaffar Express. A subsequent security operation resulted in the neutralization of 33 militants, though the attack claimed the lives of 26 passengers, including 18 security personnel.
The province is also grappling with socio-political unrest, exacerbated by the detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who faces serious charges in connection with violence linked to the Jaffar Express attack.
Amid these tensions, security forces are intensifying their operations against militants, with six terrorists killed in a recent intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Kalat district. These militants had been involved in attacks on both law enforcement agencies and civilians.
