Pakistan Army Chief Visits Balochistan Amid Deadly Clashes

A police constable was shot dead on February 3, 2025, while on duty to protect polio vaccination teams in Jamrud, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local police official Zarmat Khan. The attack occurred as two motorcycle-riding assailants opened fire on the officer en route to his assignment, resulting in his immediate death at the scene. This incident marks a troubling start to Pakistan’s nationwide polio immunization campaign, which began the same day after a year marked by an increase in polio cases. Reports indicate that the country recorded 73 polio infections last year, a significant rise from just six cases in 2023. This vaccination drive is expected to last for one week. Despite the violence, officials affirmed that the immunization efforts would continue in the region, as both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only countries where polio is endemic, often making vaccination teams targets for militant groups.

In a tragic incident on February 3, 2025, a 20-year-old woman was reportedly shot dead by her brothers in Jhelum, Pakistan, allegedly for making TikTok videos. According to ARY News, the killing occurred in Dhoke Korian, where the victim's neighbors had expressed their disapproval of her video-making, leading to a familial confrontation. The brothers reportedly opened fire on their sister, killing her instantly. Following the incident, they attempted to stage the scene as a suicide and erase evidence. This case highlights the persistent issue of honour killings in Pakistan, where women often become victims of violence purportedly in defense of family honor. Another similar case was reported just days earlier in Quetta, where a 15-year-old girl was murdered by her father and uncle for creating TikTok content. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan indicated that such incidents remain a major concern, with 346 individuals reported as victims of honour killings in 2024 alone.

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Gen Syed Asim Munir, visited Balochistan on February 2, 2025, amid ongoing clashes in which 18 security personnel and 23 terrorists were killed in the last 24 hours, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. The military stated that the recent operations, which resulted in the deaths of 23 terrorists, were part of an effort to combat escalating violence in the resource-rich but underdeveloped province. During his visit, General Munir received a detailed briefing on the security situation from senior army and intelligence officials and offered prayers at the funerals of fallen soldiers. He emphasized the army’s commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring the security of Balochistan's citizens. Notably, 12 terrorists were reported killed in a Friday night operation, while an engagement in Harnai district led to the deaths of 11 militants. Balochistan has been a hotspot for violence due to ongoing attacks from Baloch extremists on security forces and civilians. The region faced its deadliest year in a decade in 2024, with 685 security personnel killed and 444 terror attacks recorded.