The Balochistan Liberation Army BLA claimed that its offensive Operation Herof Phase-II have been underway for more than 40 hours across the multiple districts in Balochistan. The groups alleged that there were heavy casualties among Pakistani security forces and asserted control over several urban and rural areas.
The BLA stated that the operation had expanded across a wide geographical stretch of the province in a series of statements and media releases issued through its official channels, Hakkal. The group also released a video recorded during clashes in Gwadar, identifying a female fidayeen fighter who it said was killed during attacks against Pakistan forces, IANS reported.
The woman was identified as Hawa Baloach, alias Droshum and described the footage as her “final message, sent twelve hours before her martyrdom.” Hawa Baloch was a writer, and her father was associated with the Baloch armed movement.
The BLA also identified 23-year-old Asifa Mengal as another female Fidayeen. She had reportedly carried out a vehicle-borne improvised device (VBIED) operation on January 31, targetting the Inter-Services Intelligence ISI headquarters in Noshki.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, said that at least two of the attacks involved women perpetrators.
The group released a separate video featuring fidayeen Nako Fazal Baloch, whom it described as the “eldest Baloch Fidayee of the Baloch Liberation Army,” highlighting his role in the ongoing campaign.
According to the BLA’s claims, more than 200 personnel from the Pakistan Army, police and Frontier Corps were killed, and at least 17 individuals were captured. The figures were described as “preliminary and cautious estimates,” suggesting that the numbers were actually higher.
Balochistan’s chief minister, however, said that 17 law enforcement officials and 31 civilians were killed on Sunday after the attacks began.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military said that 92 Balochistan separatists were killed on Saturday and 41 were killed on Friday. The BLA, however, said that 18 of its fighters were killed during the operation, including 11 fidayee bombers, including the women.
Additionally, the group also said that it had detained and released Deputy Commissioner of Noshki, Muhammad Hussain Hazara and Assistant Commissioner Maria Shamoo in a “humanitarian gesture” saying that it does not consider local civil administration and police as direct adversaries unless they actively resist its fighters.
Baloch rebels release videos of two women ‘fidayeen’ among 11 who attacked Pakistani forces
