Field Marshal Munir: “No Pretext Justifies Terrorism”
In a high-profile visit to Quetta, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir issued a stern warning to those attempting to rationalize recent violence in Balochistan. In his first visit to the province following the coordinated weekend attacks, Munir made it clear that the state’s patience has reached its limit. “No terrorist or facilitator will be spared,” he asserted, emphasizing that the law will deal strictly with those who try to dress up criminal acts as a political movement.
Decisive Response to “Fitna al-Hindustan”
The visit comes on the heels of Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1, a massive counter-terrorism offensive launched in response to the January 31 attacks. The military reported that 197 terrorists—primarily from the BLA, now officially labeled by the state as “Fitna al-Hindustan”—have been neutralized. However, the victory came at a heavy cost, with 22 security personnel martyred and over 30 civilians losing their lives.
Accompanied by Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti, the Field Marshal Asim Munir visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) to meet with soldiers and police officers wounded in the line of duty. He praised their high morale, noting that their bravery prevented a much larger disaster aimed at destabilizing the province’s development.
A Province Under Lockdown
While the military has largely cleared the targeted districts, daily life in Balochistan remains severely disrupted. For five consecutive days, train services were halted, and mobile internet was suspended across several districts to prevent militants from coordinating further strikes.
Recent Casualty Overview (Feb 2026)
| Category | Reported Count |
| Terrorists Killed | 197 |
| Security Personnel Martyred | 22 |
| Civilian Casualties | 36 |
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif highlighted the geographical challenge. He noted that Balochistan makes up over 40% of Pakistan’s landmass. Which making patrolling an immense task. While train services have begun to partially resume, authorities are keeping a high-security alert in Quetta, with strict search operations continuing at all entry and exit points.
