Pakistan Admits Losing Grip in Balochistan: Defence Minister Cites Army's Struggle Against Insurgency

• Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif publicly acknowledged the military's struggle to control Balochistan, citing its vast size and difficult terrain.
• Asif stated that Pakistani troops are "physically incapable" of securing the entire 40% geographical area of Balochistan.
• He admitted Baloch rebels are better equipped, possessing advanced heat-detecting lasers and expensive combat gear that Pakistani forces lack.
• The admission comes amid sharply escalating violence, with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carrying out coordinated attacks on infrastructure and personnel.
• Balochistan, rich in resources but Pakistan's poorest province, faces long-standing grievances over resource exploitation and enforced disappearances, fueling separatist support.

Why It Matters: Pakistan's Defence Minister publicly conceded the military's inability to control Balochistan, highlighting an emboldened insurgency.