The Baloch Nationalist Army confirmed in a media statement that seven of its fighters, including the commander of the camp, were killed in a drone attack in the mountainous areas between Pasni and Hoshaab by the Pakistani security forces. The “pro-independence” group said that an armed drone fired three missiles at the guerrilla camp and the forces subsequently landed commandoes near the camp via helicopters. The camp commander and four of his fighters were killed in the missile strike whereas the two remaining fighters fought and killed several of the Pakistani commandoes. The two fighters were then killed in the confrontation.
The Pakistani authorities also confirmed the attack. In a media statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that the Pakistani forces had killed seven “wanted” pro-independence fighters during an intelligence-based operation. “Once the troops started clearance operation in the area, the terrorists tried to escape from their camp and opened indiscriminate fire onto security forces,” it said. The ISPR said that the seven “pro-independence fighters” were involved in several attacks on the Pakistani forces in the Makran region. Contrary to BNA’s statement, ISPR did not confirm whether the attack was carried out via drones or land-based troops.
Baloch Nationalist Army said that we will not yield in the face of the new military technology that the Pakistani forces are now using. The group said that we will employ guerrilla tactics to tackle the strategies of the Pakistani forces.
BNA identified its slain fighters as Commander Hasi alias Doda, Khalid alias Kiyya, Nizam alias Noshad, Waqas alias Miras, Washdil alias Jami, Shah Fahad alias Aslam and Ilyas Baloch alias Rahmdil. The group also released pictures of the slain fighters.
Baloch Nationalist Army said that we are “proud of our martyrs and their invaluable sacrifice for Balochistan.” To honour their services, the group awarded them the title of “Ruzhn-e-Ajoyee” (cresset of independence).