[Today’s Prayer] Large-scale clashes between the Pakistani military and armed groups… death toll rises to 125

The number of people killed in large-scale clashes between the military and separatist armed groups in southwestern Pakistan has risen to 125.

According to AFP and Reuters on the 1st (local time), Pakistani military authorities said that the separatist armed group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out attacks across Balochistan Province in the southwest the previous day, killing 15 security personnel and 18 civilians.

They added that 92 members of the armed group, including three suicide bombers, were killed.

(omitted)

A senior Pakistani military official said, “(This BLA attack) was organized, but the execution was inadequate,” adding, “Due to poor planning and the effective response of the security forces, the attack failed.”

(omitted)

As multiple explosions were heard, major roads were left empty with no vehicles passing, and most shops were closed. Train services across the province were completely suspended, and mobile phone services were also cut off in some areas.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti emphasized, “Over the past year, more than 700 terrorists have been killed,” and added, “This attack cannot weaken our resolve to stand against terrorism.”

The BLA attack occurred just one day after the Pakistani military announced on the 29th of last month that it had killed 41 armed group members on the outskirts of the Harnai area and in the Panjgur area of Balochistan Province. On the morning of the previous day, the BLA simultaneously carried out suicide bombings and gun battles across the province, targeting military facilities as well as police stations and civilian facilities.

(omitted)

Pakistani military authorities claimed that the BLA’s latest attack was carried out with India’s support. In a statement, the military said, “The leadership of terrorist organizations operating outside Pakistan planned and directed (this attack),” adding, “It has been clearly confirmed that they directly communicated with the terrorists throughout the entire process.”

Balochistan Province, which borders Afghanistan as well as Iran, is rich in various mineral resources but is considered the poorest region in Pakistan.

Armed groups in the region, including the BLA, continue to carry out terrorist attacks targeting security forces and outsiders while demanding independence, claiming that the Pakistani government and foreign capital are exploiting local resources. The Pakistani military has responded with large-scale suppression operations, resulting in continued casualties.

Source: Yonhap News

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! (Romans 5:15)

We hear the news that 125 people have died due to large-scale clashes between the armed group Balochistan Liberation Army and the Pakistani military in southwestern Pakistan.

Lord, please comfort the bereaved families who have lost loved ones because of this large-scale clash, and Lord, help the residents of the Balochistan region who are living without hope amid confusion, having experienced the closure of shops and the suspension of train services due to this attack following the numerous terrorist incidents that have occurred in Balochistan.

May the Pakistani church become a church that overflows the gift that comes by the grace of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ to the Balochistan region. Through the Pakistani church, plant the hope of the Kingdom of God among the residents of Balochistan.

In the Balochistan region, which is known as the poorest place despite being the richest in mineral resources, may terrorism cease and the Kingdom of God be established. May the Balochistan Liberation Army repent of the sin of taking the lives of Pakistani people while claiming regional independence, and through the gospel, may they become people who live seeking the coming of the eternal Kingdom of God beyond the independence of the land.

And so, may the Baloch people be seen making disciples of all nations and taking the nations as their inheritance, and may the peoples within Pakistan rise up as an army to bear the final spiritual battle of the gospel in the last days, awaiting the return of the Lord!