US, UAE condemn Balochistan attacks, express solidarity with Pakistan
A damaged vehicle is pictured near a blast site after an attack by Baloch insurgents in Quetta in the province of Balochistan on Saturday. PHOTO: AFP
The United States and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks carried out in Balochistan on January 31, expressing solidarity with Pakistan.
In a post on X, US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker said Washington “strongly condemns” the attacks, which were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Balochistan
The United States strongly condemns January 31 attacks and acts of terrorist violence against security personnel and civilians in Balochistan, claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a U.S.-designated…“On behalf of the United States, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims of terrorism, their families, and all those affected,” Baker said.
She said the Pakistani people “deserve to live free from violence and fear”, adding that the United States stood with Pakistan in the face of such attacks.
“The United States remains a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure peace and stability,” she said. “We stand in solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time.”
In an official statement on X, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as “criminal acts” and expressed its firm rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at destabilising security and peace.
“The UAE strongly denounces these terrorist attacks that took place in several cities in Balochistan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which tragically caused the deaths of a number of innocent people,” the statement said.
الإمارات تُدين الهجمات الإرهابية في إقليم بلوشستان الباكستانيhttps://t.co/8WAdriI2W7 pic.twitter.com/ii4hSpZwch
Reactions also came from other countries a day earlier. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom “condemns and denounces the terrorist attacks carried out by separatists in various parts of Balochistan province.”
#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attacks carried out by separatists in various parts of Balochistan province in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/ffnW2zNUXd
The British High Commission said, “Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and all those affected. We stand with Pakistan in rejecting terrorism and in our shared commitment to peace and security.”
The UK condemns the terrorist attacks across parts of Balochistan today. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and all those affected. We stand with Pakistan in rejecting terrorism and in our shared commitment to peace and security.
The Turkish embassy said, “We will continue to stand by brotherly Pakistan in its fight against all forms of terrorism.”
We condemn in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks that took place across Pakistan’s Balochistan Province. We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and a swift recovery to the injured.
We will continue to stand by brotherly Pakistan in its fight against…On Saturday, terrorists carried out a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations across Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed by security forces, while 18 civilians were martyred.
The military said that during clearance operations and intense standoffs, “15 brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom.”
Read: 92 terrorists killed, 15 security personnel martyred as attacks foiled across Balochistan: ISPR
The banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attacks in a social media post, describing them as the second phase of “Operation Heroof.”
The government has designated the BLA and other Baloch groups as “Fitna al Hindustan”, alleging they are acting as proxies of India to destabilise Pakistan through hybrid warfare. Officials say the BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed links with other anti-Pakistan militant outfits operating out of Afghanistan.
Security sources also claimed that Indian media outlets and India-linked social media accounts amplified support for Fitna al Hindustan during the attacks, highlighting what they described as a coordinated hostile information campaign.