BLF claims coordinated operations in Balochistan resulted in the death of eight Pakistani soldiers

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks across multiple areas of Balochistan on November 5 and 6. The group reported that these operations resulted in the deaths of eight Pakistani soldiers, injuries to five others, and the seizure of government weapons. The attacks were described as part of ongoing efforts by the BLF to challenge Pakistani military presence in the region.

Major Gwahram Baloch, the spokesperson for the BLF, detailed the scope and nature of the attacks in a statement. He explained that fighters targeted military installations and personnel in various locations, including Dasht, Awaran, Mand, Kolwah, Turbat, and Pasni. The operations reportedly began on the evening of November 5 and continued into the following day, indicating a coordinated effort to strike multiple targets simultaneously.

One of the key incidents took place in Dasht, where fighters ambushed army personnel who were unloading rations at Kuddan around 5:30 p.m. on November 5. According to the BLF, the fighters used close-range assaults and heavy weapons, damaging surveillance cameras in the process. The attack resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and left two others seriously injured, highlighting the intensity of the assault.

On November 6, the BLF claimed to have carried out another ambush near Awaran at Pirandar (Kenera). This attack targeted troops guarding a convoy on foot, leading to the deaths of three soldiers. The group said they seized weapons from the soldiers and injured three more individuals during this operation, demonstrating their focus on weakening military logistics and capabilities.

In addition to ambushes, the BLF reported attacking military posts and checkpoints. They claimed to have targeted a post at Jirik, Kolwah, with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy weapons on November 5. The following day, they fired large-calibre shells at a checkpoint near Guhna, close to Turbat, causing personnel and material losses. These attacks reflect a strategy of striking vulnerable military positions to undermine security operations.

The group also described planting a remote-controlled explosive near Dastchin, between Mand, Koh Dagar, and Goberd, on November 6. The explosion reportedly killed two personnel who arrived at the site, and the bodies were later retrieved by an army air unit and moved to camps in Mand Soru and Turbat. This indicates the use of guerrilla tactics aimed at causing casualties and disrupting military movements.

The BLF also claimed to have blocked the coastal highway at Shtangi on the Gwadar–Pasni route on November 5. During this operation, fighters carried out snap vehicle checks and briefly detained the Assistant Commissioner of Pasni and his staff. The officials were questioned and later released due to their Baloch identity, but the group confiscated their weapons and set a vehicle on fire, showcasing their ability to disrupt transportation routes.

Transport owners were warned by the BLF to refrain from assisting what they called “occupying” forces, threatening accountability for any loss of life or property resulting from cooperation with the Pakistani military. This message highlights the group’s attempt to weaken logistical support and civilian cooperation with the state security apparatus.

Earlier, on November 4, the BLF reported surrounding a police station in Kachhi’s Khattan area. They detained the officers on duty, seized government weapons and documents, and then set the building on fire. The detained officers were subsequently released, suggesting that the group’s operations also include targeted actions against state institutions, with an emphasis on symbolic destruction.

The insurgency in Balochistan has a long history, characterized by frequent violence and high-profile attacks on security forces and infrastructure. The recent escalation, including large-scale operations and coordinated assaults, underscores the persistent tensions in the region. Baloch armed groups claim their fight is for independence and to end what they describe as Pakistan’s occupation of Balochistan, while the Pakistani government characterizes these groups as terrorists. The military asserts that its operations aim to maintain national security and stability in the region.