Baloch rebels kill over 80 Pakistani troops, take 18 hostage
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for a coordinated series of attacks across multiple locations in Pakistan, alleging the killing of at least 80 military personnel, police, intelligence officials, and counter-terrorism unit members. The group said the ten-hour operation, dubbed "Operation Herof Phase II," targeted security, military, and administrative installations across several towns and cities, though there was no immediate independent confirmation of the claims.
New Delhi: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said it carried out a coordinated attack, killing at least 80 Pakistani military personnel, police officers, intelligence officials, and counter-terrorism unit members, in a statement issued on January 31. The attacks were conducted under what the group termed "Operation Herof Phase II.”
According to the separatist outfit, the attacks were carried out over a period of ten hours, targeting security, military, and administrative installations across several towns and cities. Social media platforms were flooded with posts claiming to verify the group’s assertions.
Simultaneous attacks at multiple locations
BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch confirmed in a statement that the group conducted attacks at multiple locations. The coordinated assaults reportedly took place in Quetta, Noshki, Mastung, Dalbandin, Kalat, Kharan, Panjgur, Gwadar, Pasni, Turbat, Tump, Buleda, Mangochar, Lasbela, Kech, and Awaran.
The outfit claimed it simultaneously targeted what it described as "enemy military, administrative, and security structures,” asserting that it temporarily restricted the movement of security forces in several areas, NDTV reported.
The BLA further alleged that more than 30 government properties, including offices, banks, and prisons, were seized or destroyed, and that over 20 vehicles were set ablaze. The statement also claimed that BLA fighters took control of certain posts and installations during intense clashes.
Outfit claims temporary control at targeted sites
However, there was no immediate independent confirmation of these claims, and Islamabad has not issued an official statement on the scale of the violence. Earlier, official casualty figures differed from those claimed by armed groups.
The BLA statement said seven of its members were killed during the violence, identifying them as part of the group’s Majeed Brigade.” The group described these deaths as occurring during coordinated assaults on security installations and claimed their actions resulted in temporary control over targeted sites.