Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir warns Baloch terrorists: We will beat the hell out of you
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, issued a strong warning to terrorist groups operating in Balochistan, vowing a decisive crackdown and declaring that “even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan and Pakistan”. Speaking at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad on Wednesday, Munir asserted that militant outfits such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Republican Army (BRA) posed no existential threat to the country.
In a spirited address, the army chief dismissed the idea that “1500 terrorists” could alter the course of the nation’s future, promising a swift and forceful response. “We will beat the hell out of these terrorists very soon,” he said, adding, “Do Pakistan’s enemies think that a handful of terrorists can decide the fate of Pakistan?”
He praised overseas Pakistanis for their enduring commitment to their homeland and described them as “the country’s radiant light that reflects across the globe.” Rejecting concerns over brain drain, Munir instead referred to it as “brain gain,” hailing the diaspora as national ambassadors.
General Munir emphasised that as long as the public remained aligned with the military, the nation would be able to overcome any challenge. “Today we are giving this clear message together-that whatever stands in the way of Pakistan’s progress, we will remove that obstacle together,” he declared. “The question is not when Pakistan will get developed, but how fast Pakistan develops,” he added.
His remarks came amid heightened tensions in Balochistan following a surge in militant attacks and allegations of extrajudicial killings. On March 11, the Jaffar Express train carrying 440 passengers was hijacked by Baloch insurgents.
A subsequent two-day operation launched by Pakistani forces ended with the reported killing of 33 rebels, according to ISPR Director General Lt Gen Sharif Chaudhry. However, a statement from BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch disputed the official account, claiming that 214 hostages had died due to the army’s refusal to comply with a deadline.
General Munir also expressed solidarity with Palestinians affected by Israeli military actions in Gaza, stating that the hearts of Pakistanis “beat in unison with the Muslims of Gaza”.
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