Quetta remains on edge as internet shutdown, tight security disrupt daily life

Life in Quetta remained tense and unsettled on Monday as residents entered a third day without internet services, following a deadly weekend attack by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed as security forces repelled the attacks across the province on Saturday, while 15 security personnel were also martyred in combat.

“Terrorists of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan attempted to disturb the peace of Balochistan by conducting multiple terrorist activities around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni,” the ISPR said in a statement on Saturday. Security sources said today that 22 more terrorists were killed during overnight follow-up actions with the latest casualties bringing the total number of terrorists killed in operations over the past three days to at least 177.

With mobile data and broadband services still suspended, many residents said they felt cut off from work, education and even their families. “Classes, online work — everything has come to a halt. It feels like the city has gone silent,” said a university student in Quetta.

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Security was visibly tightened across the provincial capital, with armed personnel deployed at major intersections and additional checkpoints set up in sensitive areas. Several roads within the city were blocked, forcing commuters to take lengthy detours and adding to residents’ daily frustration.

Train services linking Balochistan with other parts of the country were also suspended, leaving passengers stranded at stations and disrupting travel plans. A railway official said the decision was taken purely as a precaution. “The safety of passengers is our top priority, and services will resume once the situation stabilises,” he said.

Shopkeepers and daily wage earners said the restrictions were hurting their livelihoods. “When roads are blocked and the internet is down, business almost stops,” said a trader at a busy market. “We understand the security concerns, but we hope things return to normal soon.”

Security forces on Monday continued counterterrorism operations in Balochistan, killing 22 more terrorists during overnight follow-up actions, security sources said on Monday. The latest casualties bring the total number of terrorists killed in operations over the past three days to at least 177, according to the sources.

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The ongoing campaign involves sanitisation and clearance operations aimed at terrorists and their facilitators across multiple locations in the province. Security forces, including intelligence agencies and police, are tightening their cordon as part of the sustained effort, the sources said, adding that further losses have been inflicted on terrorist networks.

Earlier, speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the operation as one of the most extensive intelligence-led actions conducted in such a short timeframe. He said the crackdown followed a series of coordinated assaults claimed by the banned BLA.

The Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 across the province for one month, citing heightened security concerns, recent terrorists attacks and the overall law-and-order situation. The decision took immediate effect and will remain in force till the end of February, according to an official notification issued by the provincial home department.