Photo source: AFP
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has announced the completion of the third phase of its “Operation Zir Pehazag” following a suicide attack in the coastal city of Gwadar earlier today.
According to Jeeyand Baloch, the BLA’s spokesperson, the early morning operation began around 9:18 AM, targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers traveling from the airport to Gwadar Port. The convoy, consisting of several vehicles, was carrying Chinese engineers and was under heavy security, including personnel from the Pakistan Army, Police, ATF, and an armored vehicle.
In the detailed statement, the BLA spokesperson said the attack took place near Chairman Ishaq Chowk’s Judicial Complex. The BLA fighters used grenades to halt the convoy before firing for approximately thirty minutes. As a result, four Chinese nationals and eleven Pakistani military personnel were killed, with several others injured.
Jeeyand Baloch identified the two participants in the operation: Naveed Baloch and Maqbool Baloch, both members of the Majeed Brigade, an elite unit within the BLA. He detailed their trajectory within the organization, emphasizing their rigorous training and dedication to the cause.
He further shed light on their personal backgrounds: Naveed Baloch, alias Aslam Baloch, hailed from Dasht Nigor, Turbat, while Maqbool Baloch, Alias Qaim Baloch, was from Geshkor, Awaran. Jeeyand Baloch further added, Post-operation, the two “fidayeen” maintained their ground against the Pakistani army, until running out of ammunition, at which point they took their own lives, abiding by the principle of “the last bullet.”
The BLA’s statement also conveyed a clear message to China, emphasizing their view of Balochistan as an “occupied territory” and voicing their opposition to Beijing’s projects, like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.
“We have cautioned China repeatedly to reconsider its activities in Balochistan,” the statement read. BLA views such endeavors as acts of exploitation, stating that any foreign investments in the region should only proceed after Balochistan achieves independence.
Ending on a firm note, the BLA has issued China a 90-day ultimatum to withdraw from Balochistan or prepare for intensified attacks on its “key interests” in the region.