Baloch armed groups claim responsibility for attacks in Balochistan and Sindh; at least 19 Pakistani soldiers reported killed

Three Baloch “pro-independence” armed groups—the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Republican Guards (BRG)—have claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks targeting Pakistani military forces and infrastructure across Balochistan and Sindh. Over the past week, these groups reported the deaths of at least 19 Pakistani military personnel and the destruction of vehicles, supply lines, communication towers, and quadcopters.

BLA Claims 12 Soldiers Killed, Three Fighters Dead in Clashes

The Baloch Liberation Army announced on Tuesday that its fighters conducted operations in Panjgur, Kech, Quetta, Kachi, and Buleda between December 9 and 15. The group reported killing 12 Pakistani military personnel and suffering the loss of three fighters in the clashes.

According to the BLA, its fighters briefly seized control of government buildings in Panjgur city on Monday, engaging Pakistani forces as they attempted to push into the area. The fighters were eventually forced to retreat after coming under heavy fire. The statement noted that a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officer was killed and two others injured during this engagement. The fighters held their positions for two hours before withdrawing in an organized manner.

The group also claimed responsibility for destroying three vehicles belonging to a convoy supporting the Reko Diq project at Kalat Midway on Tuesday, injuring several security personnel.

Other clashes included an encounter in the Sechi area of Dasht, Kech district, on December 14, when Pakistani forces tried to advance into the region. The BLA reported multiple casualties and said fighters shot down a military quadcopter during the confrontation.

On December 13, the BLA said its fighters intercepted vehicles carrying army supplies in the Mehnaz area of Buleda, seizing the logistics and releasing the drivers with a warning that aiding the military constitutes direct facilitation.

Earlier, on December 9, the group reported a clash in the Sunni area of Kachi, resulting in the death of four military personnel during a two-hour firefight, with one BLA fighter also killed.

Another confrontation occurred on December 14 in the Daghari area of Quetta, where fighters traveling for organizational purposes were surrounded by Pakistani troops using civilian vehicles. The BLA claimed that seven Pakistani soldiers were killed and several others injured, while two of their fighters also lost their lives.

The BLA identified its three fallen fighters as Sufi Ismail from Kachi, Asmatullah Satakzai from Quetta, and Sajjad Zehri from Khuzdar, honoring their service and emphasizing that their sacrifices underpin their ongoing struggle.

The group reaffirmed that its operations will persist against state installations, military movements, and what they call “exploitative projects” across Balochistan.

BLF Claims Four Attacks Resulting in Seven Deaths

In a separate statement, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) reported executing four attacks in Mand, Awaran, Turbat, and Mashkay on December 14 and 15, which resulted in the deaths of seven Pakistani military personnel.

The BLF stated that on December 15, two soldiers, including Naik Ghulam Fareed, were killed in an IED attack targeting a convoy between Rideeg and Mahir in Mand.

Later that evening, fighters ambushed a military convoy en route from Awaran to Gishkour at Wasati Bazaar in Zeik, damaging one vehicle and killing five personnel. The other two vehicles in the convoy reportedly fled the scene.

Additionally, the BLF claimed to have attacked a Navy checkpoint with a hand grenade on the Turbat Overseas Road on December 14, injuring personnel stationed there. During the same period, fighters shot down a Pakistani quadcopter during a mission in the Mashkay area.

The BLF reiterated its commitment to continue operations across Balochistan until all occupying forces withdraw.

BRG Targets Railway in Shikarpur

The Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) announced that its fighters targeted the Sukkur Express train near Humayun Sharif in Shikarpur, Sindh, using a remote-controlled explosive device. The attack caused “severe damage” to both the railway track and the train.

BRG spokesperson Dostain Baloch stated that their operations against what they describe as “colonial occupation” would persist.

At the time of publication, Pakistani authorities had not issued any official responses to the claims made by the BLA, BLF, or BRG.