The Military Standoff
The Battle for Nushki: The town of Nushki was a primary flashpoint. After BLA rebels seized control of a police station and other government buildings on Saturday, Jan 31, a three-day siege ensued.
Aviation Deployment: The Pakistani military indeed used helicopters and drones to target militant positions, which is a significant escalation in urban/desert warfare for this region.
The Death Toll: While numbers vary by source, current reports indicate at least 197 militants have been killed in the counter-operation. On the government side, roughly 22 security personnel and over 30 civilians have lost their lives since the wave of attacks began.
The BLA’s “Operation Herof 2.0”
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed these attacks are part of “Operation Hero 2.0.”
This follows the original “Operation Herof” from August 2024, which also involved coordinated strikes across several districts.
The current wave has targeted infrastructure across 12 locations, including Quetta, Gwadar, and Mastung.
Cricket and Geopolitics
The article correctly links the violence to a major diplomatic move: Pakistan’s boycott of the India match.
The Pakistan government announced on February 1, 2026, that while the team would participate in the T20 World Cup, they will not take the field against India on February 15 in Colombo.
This decision is a protest against the ICC’s recent handling of security concerns and the perceived “double standards” regarding tournament hosting and venue relocations.
Current Status
The province remains under high alert. Section 144 (banning public gatherings) is in place, and mobile internet services in Quetta and surrounding districts are currently suspended to prevent rebel communication.
Would you like me to find more details on the specific districts currently under curfew, or perhaps more on the ICC’s official stance regarding the World Cup forfeit?
