Police in Mastung have distributed weapons and ammunition to officers, directing them to store the items at home amid growing concerns over potential attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
The decision follows recent operations by the BLA in Balochistan, during which police and Levies stations were reportedly overrun, with weapons and ammunition seized by insurgents.
Sources told The Balochistan Post (TBP) that each officer has been issued one weapon and two magazines. Officers have been instructed to take the items home after duty hours rather than returning them to the station armory. Those who refuse to comply have been warned of departmental action.
Under the orders of District Police Officer (DPO) Rehmatullah, weapons and ammunition stored at the Mastung city police station have been distributed to individual officers. The station, located near Haji Ghani Market and Central Jail Colony, reportedly holds a significant arsenal, including AK-47s, G3 rifles, 9mm pistols, and tear gas canisters.
This unusual directive comes amid heightened security concerns following the BLA’s “Operation Herof,” a large-scale campaign described by the group as the first phase of a broader strategy to reclaim Balochistan.
During the operation, the BLA carried out coordinated attacks across the region, targeting highways, railway bridges, mineral transport vehicles, and security camps, including police and Levies stations. The group claimed to have captured weapons and equipment during these assaults.
In a statement, the BLA described “Operation Herof” as “only the beginning” and warned of future operations that would be “even more intense and widespread.”
Officials have not commented on the decision to distribute weapons to officers. However, local sources suggested the directive aims to prevent insurgents from seizing police equipment in the event of an attack, as seen in previous BLA operations.