Authorities have intensified security measures across several areas of Balochistan amid reported security concerns, with restrictions imposed in Quetta, Kalat and Noshki.
According to official sources, Quetta’s Red Zone was fully sealed on Wednesday, with access blocked from multiple directions. Authorities closed Zarghoon Road, Anscomb Road and Jaffar Khan Jamali Road to all traffic, while additional personnel from the Pakistan Army and other security forces were deployed around routes leading to the high-security area.
Officials cited potential security threats as the reason for the restrictions.
The latest measures come amid heightened security arrangements in several parts of Balochistan following reports of armed attacks in different districts. Residents and local sources have reported restrictions on movement in a number of areas, particularly in Kalat and Noshki, where security measures have been significantly tightened.
In Kalat, local sources said the administration had dug trenches around parts of the city and restricted access through entry points. According to residents, traffic movement into and out of the city has been severely affected, leading to difficulties for commuters and local businesses.
Some local residents criticised the restrictions, arguing that the measures had disrupted daily life and limited public movement.
Meanwhile, authorities in Noshki have also strengthened security arrangements by placing barriers on key roads within the city and at entry and exit points. Several routes have reportedly been closed or diverted, including a road near the local National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office.
Residents said the restrictions have caused delays and travel difficulties, particularly for those seeking access to public services and healthcare facilities. Alternative routes have been designated for traffic in some areas.
Local sources further reported that commercial activity in Noshki has declined in recent days, with many shopkeepers closing their businesses earlier than usual due to the prevailing security situation.
In addition, authorities have announced the closure of banks across Noshki from 5 August until 30 August, a decision that has reportedly raised concerns among residents and government employees who rely on banking services.
The increased security measures follow a series of security-related incidents in Balochistan over recent months. Earlier this year, during the Baloch Liberation Army’s claimed “Operation Herof II”, coordinated attacks were reported in multiple districts across the region, including Quetta. Following those incidents, authorities introduced additional security measures around the Red Zone, including the construction of protective infrastructure and enhanced security deployments.
No official statement has been issued regarding the duration of the latest restrictions in Quetta, Kalat or Noshki, although authorities have maintained that the measures are being implemented in response to security concerns.