Azerbaijan expresses support for Pakistan in wake of deadly Balochistan assault

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its condolences to Pakistan following a terrorist attack in the country's Balochistan province, which has left many dead and exacerbated tensions in the region.

The Ministry made the statement on its official social media page, X, offering support to Pakistan during this difficult time, per Caliber.Az.

The post read, "Deeply saddened by the news of the terrorist attack in Balochistan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and we stand in solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time. Having faced the devastating impact of terrorism, Azerbaijan remains fully committed to supporting all efforts against this menace."

The attack in Balochistan, which occurred in January, led to the deaths of at least 18 paramilitary soldiers and 24 armed attackers. The violence is part of an ongoing surge in sectarian, ethnic, and separatist violence that has intensified in southwestern Pakistan.

Balochistan, a mineral-rich region bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has been the focal point of a decade-long rebellion led by separatist ethnic Baloch groups, with several armed factions operating in the area.

In a related incident, Pakistani authorities thwarted an attempted attack on a security post near the Afghanistan border, in which attackers attempted to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the site. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a prominent separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack that resulted in at least six deaths earlier this year. 

The BLA also took credit for a series of coordinated attacks in November 2023, which killed at least 39 people. In another major attack in August 2023, at least 73 individuals lost their lives when separatist fighters launched attacks on police stations, railway lines, and highways, and engaged in a retaliatory operation with security forces.

The violence in Balochistan is further compounded by deteriorating relations between Pakistan and the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan. The escalation in attacks across various regions in Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has been stark in recent months, with significant casualties reported. In 2024 alone, the military confirmed the deaths of 383 soldiers and 925 fighters during border area clashes.

By Tamilla Hasanova