The Baloch Liberation Front, the Baloch ethnonationalist militant organisation based in Afghanistan, announced on Tuesday that it deployed a woman suicide bomber for the first time to target the Frontier Corps complex that houses a Chinese copper and gold mining project.
A statement by the BLA said a female suicide bomber, Zareena Rafiq, aka Trang Mahoo, stormed the heavily-guarded office of the Frontier Corps, killing six Pakistani personnel in the attack that happened last Sunday. The organisation also released the photo of the bomber, Zareena Rafiq, who detonated herself, clearing the way for the rebels to enter the complex.
In a statement released on Telegram, BLF spokesman Gwahram Baloch said the suicide attack was carried out by the Saddo Operational Battalion (SOB), the group’s “self-sacrifice” unit, named after its martyred commander Waja Saddo alias Sadat Marri.
According to sources, the attacks targeted projects directly linked to China and a Canadian company. This indicates that Baloch insurgents are now shifting their strategy by attacking high-value targets with geopolitical significance.
The use of female fidayeen is considered significant suicide attacks was a tactic employed only by the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade, which has carried out several major attacks in recent years, including the Jaffar Express hijacking.
The attack also assumes significance as the BLF targeted the Saindak and Reko Diq projects, managed by Chinese companies and a Canadian firm, indicating the organisation’s willingness to strike high-value assets. It also happened at Nokkundi in Chaghi, which is usually considered peaceful. It is also resource-rich.
Though Pakistan initially didn’t confirm the attack, later reports said it confirmed a suicide bombing followed by an armed assault. Locals say two helicopters rushed from Quetta to the scene.
Who is Zareena Rafiq aka Trang Mahoo? Baloch Liberation Front uses woman suicide bomber for the first time
