‘Bodily Handicapped’: Khawaja Asif’s Main Admission As Pakistan Struggles In Balochistan | World Information

Final Up to date:February 04, 2026, 09:06 IST

Khawaja Asif cited rising assaults in Balochistan, blaming BLA-criminal ties, Indian proxies, Afghan assist, and defended safety operations.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday stated safety forces deployed in restive Balochistan had been “bodily handicapped” as a result of province’s huge geography, as the federal government continues large-scale “counter-terror” operations amid a pointy spike in assaults, PTI reported.

Addressing the Nationwide Meeting, Asif stated the size of Balochistan, which makes up over 40% of Pakistan’s landmass, posed main operational challenges regardless of the deployment of large forces.

“Balochistan constitutes over 40 per cent of Pakistan geographically… To regulate it’s far more tough than a populated metropolis, and it wants the deployment of large forces. Our troops are deployed there and are in motion towards them (terrorists), however they’re bodily handicapped by guarding and patrolling such a giant space,” he stated, as quoted by PTI.

His remarks got here after safety forces killed 177 militants in operations launched, following coordinated assaults by terrorists at 12 places throughout the province. Asif additionally alleged a nexus between criminals and militants, claiming that prison gangs had been working below the banner of the banned Baloch Liberation Military (BLA) to guard smugglers.

Additionally Learn: BLA Says 280 Pakistani Personnel Killed In Operation Herof, Claims Seizure Of Key District

Reiterating the federal government’s stance, Asif stated Pakistan wouldn’t enable any try to “rationalise violence”. “Whenever you attempt to rationalise violence or gown it up as a freedom motion, it’s not acceptable as a result of it’s not true. It is a cowl to legitimise prison actions,” he stated.

He additionally alleged that parts backed by India had been working as “proxies” in Balochistan and claimed Afghan soil was getting used to assist terrorism. “The terrorists’ management is predicated in Afghanistan, they usually obtain assist from there,” he stated.

Rejecting claims of deprivation, Asif stated Balochistan had witnessed growth over time and had extra airports than another province, with efforts underway to make non-operational ones useful. He additionally dismissed allegations associated to “lacking individuals”, claiming that names of terrorists killed in operations appeared on such lists.

“This narrative has been concocted… terrorists and prison parts have hijacked all these narratives,” he stated.

Asif additional pointed to the delicate weaponry utilized by militants, saying they carried rifles value PKRs 2 million and thermal sights costing USD 4,000–5,000, and questioned who was funding them. Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has lengthy confronted a violent insurgency, with Baloch militant teams repeatedly concentrating on tasks linked to the China–Pakistan Financial Hall (CPEC).

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