EU urged to impose temporary ban on deep-sea mining

There was violence and mayhem across the Pakistani Indian Ocean province of Baluchistan on Friday and Saturday (30-31 January), as separatist insurgents attacked multiple government targets, in a co-ordinated attack in a number of towns and cities. Security forces conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism operation across Baluchistan following a series of coordinated attacks targeting multiple districts, killing civilians and security personnel, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Pakistani government. "The operation, conducted over two days, resulted in the deaths of 133 insurgents, including suicide bombers, while 15 security personnel were killed during intense engagements", according to the government source. The attacks took place in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni. "The assaults were aimed at destabilising peace in the province and undermining development by targeting law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians", the Pakistani government said.  The Pakistani government said the attacks were launched by “Indian sponsored Fitna al Hindustan,” a reference to the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), saying intelligence reports confirmed the violence was orchestrated and directed by militant leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with attackers during the assaults. The BLA also issued a statement earlier in the day, saying it had launched what it called “Operation Herof 2.0” and claiming responsibility for attacks in multiple locations. Pakistani officials describe BLA militants as Indian proxies, a charge New Delhi denies.