Two Baloch “pro-independence” armed groups—the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF)—say they carried out separate attacks on Pakistani military forces in Mastung, Kech, and Awaran districts of Balochistan.
They claim the attacks left at least thirteen soldiers dead and several others injured.
In a media statement, Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson for the BLA, said the group carried out an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the Gwarkop area of Kech district on Monday.
“BLA fighters carried out a remote-controlled IED attack on the occupying army at Jamuk around 12:00 p.m. As a result, all five personnel in the vehicle were eliminated on the spot, and the vehicle was completely destroyed,”
the statement read.
Later the same day, the BLA reportedly targeted Pakistani security forces and what it called members of so-called “death squads” advancing for an operation in the Splinji area of Mastung. According to Jeeyand Baloch, the attack inflicted casualties on the advancing forces.
“The Baloch Liberation Army accepts responsibility for these attacks,”
Jeeyand Baloch added.
Meanwhile, Major Gwahram Baloch, spokesperson for the BLF, said the group carried out a series of strikes in Awaran and Kech. He claimed the attacks killed at least eight soldiers and left several others injured.
The first ambush took place on 30 December in Bent Rahi Sham, Awaran. BLF Fighters reportedly used “modern and automatic weapons” against a convoy entering mountainous terrain, allegedly killing five soldiers on the spot.
A second clash took place at Kandhar Dap when Pakistani forces attempted to encircle BLF fighters following the ambush. Major Gwahram Baloch said three more soldiers were killed, and several others were wounded, forcing many troops to retreat.
The BLF also claimed responsibility for an earlier attack on 28 December, alleging it targeted a central military camp in Turbat city, Kech district. The group said it used heavy weaponry during a night operation, causing what it described as “significant casualties and material damage.”
Both the BLA and BLF reiterated they would continue attacks until their stated aim of Balochistan’s independence is achieved. The BLF said it has modernized its strategies for contemporary warfare, citing specialized units such as an intelligence wing, a Sniper Tactical Team, and the Qurban Unit.
Major Gwahram Baloch added that the group plans to release video footage of the Awaran attack soon.
Pakistani authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the claims made by the BLA and BLF.