Baloch Liberation Army claims responsibility for attacks in Mastung and Amach, labels CTD as a ‘Baloch national enemy’

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for two major attacks in Balochistan, including a coordinated assault in Mastung city and an armed ambush in the mountainous Amach region. The group has officially designated Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) as a “Baloch National Enemy Institution,” marking a significant escalation in their confrontational stance against Pakistani security forces.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the BLA detailed their operations from the previous day, claiming that their fighters launched simultaneous attacks early Tuesday morning. During the Mastung assault, they reportedly seized control of several key government installations, including the Tehsil Office, three banks, and other state buildings. The group asserts that government personnel present during the operation were disarmed, weapons confiscated, and sensitive documents taken from official premises. Following the capture, BLA fighters patrolled parts of the city for around two hours before withdrawing without facing substantial resistance.

The statement further describes a fierce clash with Pakistani security forces, who attempted to intervene using armored vehicles. The BLA claims their fighters repelled the intervention with rocket launchers and automatic weapons, describing this as a “complete tactical victory.” They assert that security forces were forced into retreat, highlighting their operational success and control over the targeted installations.

In a separate incident, a BLA unit targeted Pakistani military personnel in the Amach region with a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED), followed by heavy gunfire. The group claims that at least seven military personnel were killed, with several others injured. During this operation, two BLA fighters, Sangat Tahir alias Sarbuland and Sangat Naeem Satakzai alias Shahid, were killed in the clashes and were honored as martyrs by the group, emphasizing their commitment to the cause.

The most significant aspect of the BLA’s recent statement was its direct confrontation with Pakistan’s CTD. The group accused the department of involvement in “state-sponsored atrocities,” including enforced disappearances and the ongoing suppression of Baloch civilians. Effective immediately, the BLA declared that CTD installations and personnel will be treated as legitimate military targets, placing them on par with the Pakistani army in their operational calculus.

The BLA issued a stern warning to civilians, urging all Baloch people to maintain a safe distance from CTD infrastructure and personnel. They also called on Baloch individuals serving within the CTD to resign or face being labeled as collaborators. This declaration underscores the group’s intent to escalate their campaign against what they perceive as oppressive state institutions while attempting to isolate their targets from local support.

During the Mastung operation, the BLA reported setting fire to state buildings as a symbolic act aimed at dismantling what they describe as colonial institutions. They framed their actions as a form of resistance against what they see as ongoing colonial domination in Balochistan. The fighters reportedly withdrew successfully from the city, claiming that security forces did not mount a significant pursuit or response, further highlighting their confidence in their tactical operations.

As of now, Pakistani authorities have not issued an official response to these incidents. The BLA remains a banned organization under Pakistan’s anti-terror laws, with the government denying allegations of systematic abuses in Balochistan. The region has long been embroiled in a separatist insurgency, with various groups demanding greater autonomy or independence. The ongoing conflict continues to be marked by violence, with accusations of human rights violations on both sides and military operations aimed at restoring control over the volatile area.