Provincial authorities have suspended mobile internet data services across Balochistan, including in capital Quetta, citing security concerns.
Reportedly the suspension is part of “precautionary security measures” and impacts areas such as Kohlu, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Loralai, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Nushki, and Harnai.
The suspension follows an uptick in terrorism across Balochistan, with an Army major among three security personnel martyred by India-backed terrorists in Mastung district on the night between Aug. 5 and Aug. 6. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the martyrdom resulted from terrorists of Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan targeting a security forces’ vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Identifying the martyrs as Maj. Muhammad Rizwan Tahir, 31, resident of Narowal district; Naik Ibni Amin, 37, resident of Swabi district; and Lance Naik Muhammad Younas, 33, resident of Karak district, the military’s media wing said security forces had launched subsequently launched a sanitization operation in the area, killing four terrorists.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, the country recorded 78 militant attacks during June, causing 100 deaths—53 security personnel, 39 civilians, six militants, and two members of local peace committees The attacks injured 189 people, including 126 members of security forces.