BLA claims responsibility for attacks on Pakistani military

Pakistani military personnel conducting operations in Balochistan’s Noshki district were targeted by armed individuals on Thursday night, with additional attacks reported in Quetta and Turbat. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a pro-independence Baloch armed group, has claimed responsibility for all three attacks.

Reports indicate that armed individuals assaulted Pakistani soldiers stationed at a campsite in the Gorbrat area of Noshki. Local sources noted that gunfire persisted for a considerable duration, accompanied by multiple explosions.

In a statement released on Friday, the BLA claimed their fighters employed automatic weapons and grenade launchers during the assault, asserting that two soldiers were killed and four others injured. The group accused Pakistani forces of targeting civilians in recent operations in the region, which they allege have been ongoing since November 19 in areas such as Munjroh, Makhbali, Lijay, and Shoorparod.

“The cowardly army targeted the civilian population for three days, burned down houses, and fired mortar shells and rockets at the civilian population,” the statement alleged. The BLA asserted, “The Baloch Liberation Army is always ready to protect the people. Every aggression from the enemy will be met with severe retaliation.”

In a separate incident on Thursday evening, the BLA announced the killing of a man named Naseebullah Marri, whom they identified as an informant for Pakistani intelligence agencies. The group claimed Marri was killed in the Kechi Beg Sariab Road area of Quetta. According to their statement, Marri had surrendered to the authorities and was working under the direction of Major Sher Jan in Mach. They also alleged his involvement in enforced disappearances, including the abduction and murder of Zahoor Marri, whose mutilated body was later discovered.

The BLA reported seizing equipment from Marri, including a mobile phone that allegedly contained details about others connected to his network. “The names and secrets of other agents linked to his network have been revealed, and action will be taken against them soon,” the group declared.

Additionally, on Friday night, the BLA stated they targeted a military checkpoint on Airport Road in Turbat. While the group claimed this attack, executed with hand grenades, inflicted losses on Pakistani forces, specific details remained undisclosed.

BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch emphasized that the group will persist in its operations, stating, “Our attacks on the occupying Pakistani army and its collaborators will continue.”