The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority announced on Friday the suspension of mobile internet services in certain areas of Balochistan to “ensure public safety.”

“This measure has been taken to ensure public safety, given the security situation in these areas,” it said in a statement.

This comes after an uptick in terrorist attacks in the province.

Recent events include a suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station on November 9, which resulted in at least 27 fatalities and over 50 injured, according to local authorities and hospital officials. On September 26, a bomb attack targeting a police vehicle in Quetta injured at least two policemen among a dozen other individuals.

Officials reported that unidentified assailants parked an explosives-laden motorcycle in the Bhosa Mandi area of the Eastern Bypass. The explosion was triggered when a police vehicle arrived at the scene, reportedly using a remote-controlled device.

On Thursday, two security personnel, including a major, were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Balochistan’s Harnai on Thursday.

The martyred security forces personnel were identified as Major Muhammad Haseeb, 28, a Rawalpindi resident, and Havildar Noor Ahmed, 38, a Barkhan resident.

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In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said: “Security forces under Major Muhammad Haseeb were immediately mobilised to sanitize the area on the reported presence of terrorists, planning to target innocent civilians in the Harnai district.”

At least three terrorists were killed in the gun battle with security forces, it added.

Pakistan has seen an increase in militancy since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, with the Pakistani chapter of the movement carrying out attacks mostly targeting security forces.