Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan, has seen a major increase in terrorist attacks this year, a trend that officials and experts attribute in part to the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August.
Terrorism in this southwestern Pakistani province has increased by 90% in 2021 compared to the previous year, a local government official said yesterday.
According to authorities, 137 terrorist acts were committed this year, resulting in the death of more than 130 people, including members of the law enforcement forces.
"Small-scale attacks have multiplied in recent months," said security analyst Amir Rana, speaking to the German news agency on Tuesday.
Jihadists and separatist organizations of the Baluchis who are said to be operating as hideouts in Afghanistan are behind the attacks in the province, according to him.
The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ("Taliban Movement in Pakistan") launched a series of attacks after the Afghan Taliban seized power in the neighboring country. The group claimed responsibility for at least 16 actions after a month-long ceasefire ended on December 10.
Balochistan is the largest and most volatile province in Pakistan. It borders both Afghanistan and Iran. Attacks by jihadists, separatists and other organizations are frequent.
In part, the violence in the province is also linked to the separatists' reaction to China's investment plans for the province. Beijing wants to connect the Chinese province of Xinjiang with the Arabian Sea, which bathes the province of Pakistan, by building an extensive road and rail network.
Attacks on members of the security forces and workers from other provinces, especially those employed on projects funded by the Chinese government, which has announced $ 62 billion in investment in the region, are frequent.