The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a ‘pro-independence’ armed group, has claimed responsibility for recent attacks on Pakistani security forces in the Mashkay and Dukki areas of Balochistan, which resulted in the deaths of one soldier and two local operatives allegedly affiliated with government-backed armed groups.
In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, Jeeyand Baloch, the spokesperson for the BLA, said that the BLA fighters targeted and killed Daulat Muhammad Hasni and Mureed Muhammad Hasni in the Mashkay area of Awaran. He described these individuals as members of a local “death squad”, a local militia comprised of hardened criminals allegedly formed by Pakistani military and intelligence agencies to counter Baloch nationalism.
According to Jeeyand Baloch, the attack in Mashkay took place in the Nok-Jo Pacharh area, where BLA fighters intercepted and killed the two alleged “death squad” members. The BLA fighters also confiscated their weapons during the attack. The spokesperson claimed that these operatives were involved in supporting Pakistani forces by conducting raids, enforcing forced labor, and participating in the abduction and torture of the locals.
“These individuals were part of a death squad under the leadership of Mir Dino,” Jeeyand Baloch said. “They were directly engaged with the occupying [Pakistani] military in various human rights violations, including raids on homes and enforced disappearances of people in and around Mashkay.”
The BLA’s statement also described another attack in the Dukki area. BLA fighters reportedly targeted a Pakistani military post using advanced weaponry and grenade launchers. This attack resulted in the death of one Pakistani soldier and caused additional injuries and material damage to the post.
“BLA fighters launched an assault on a military post in Dukki, killing one enemy soldier and inflicting further casualties and material losses,” Jeeyand Baloch said. “These attacks are part of our ongoing struggle against the occupying forces.”
The BLA spokesperson reiterated the group’s commitment to continuing its campaign until what they describe as the “complete independence” of Balochistan is achieved.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, explosions and the sound of intense gunfire were reported near a sensitive area close to Degree College Road in Turbat city. Local sources said that the offices of ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) and MI (Military Intelligence) were targeted in the attack.