Pakistan’s Defence Minister on Sunday issued a stark warning that facilitators of terrorism will face the same consequences as the perpetrators themselves, following a series of coordinated attacks across Balochistan which he directly linked to a “clear nexus” between India and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

Addressing a news conference in Sialkot, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated the recent assaults were a deliberate attempt to orchestrate widespread bloodshed.

He asserted that following a major setback for India in May of last year, such attacks are now being used to intentionally target civilian populations.

According to the minister, these actions are designed to destabilise Pakistan at a critical time when the nation is beginning to recover economically after enduring two years of significant hardship.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif contended that India and the BLA want to push Pakistan back into economic darkness and undermine its national integrity.

He reiterated that the BLA is a globally proscribed entity, banned both nationally and internationally as a terrorist organisation.

The Defence Minister also expressed grave concern that extremist networks are now exploiting women and children, deliberately targeting individuals contending with poverty, unemployment, and financial difficulties.

He affirmed that Pakistan is fighting a “long and decisive war” against the BLA and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

The minister made it clear there would be no sympathy or leniency for these groups anywhere in the country, vowing that strict action will be taken against anyone who aids them.