A series of coordinated attacks unfolded across Balochistan over the weekend, targeting mineral transport vehicles, security forces, checkpoints, and key highways. The “pro-independence” Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed responsibility for several of these attacks.
According to local sources, armed men blocked the CPEC M-8 Highway near Jusak, on the outskirts of Turbat, conducting snap checks for hours. During the blockade, the attackers reportedly offloaded Muhammad Sharif, son of Noor Muhammad—a resident of Punjab and allegedly a Military Intelligence (MI) official—from a bus traveling from Gwadar to Quetta and killed him on the spot.
In a statement released on Monday, BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch said the group’s fighters erected the roadblock and intercepted multiple vehicles. BLF fighters allegedly apprehended an armed security guard from a government-affiliated company, seizing his weapon, before intercepting a bus carrying the MI official.
The statement claimed that the BLF fighters identified the official as Muhammad Sharif through “official documents and a service card” found in his possession. After confirming his identity, they reportedly executed him.
In a separate statement on Sunday, the BLF also claimed responsibility for three additional attacks in different parts of Balochistan.
According to the group, on January 25, BLF fighters targeted a Frontier Corps (FC) checkpoint at Lund, in the Noy-e-Sham area of Kohlu, using heavy weaponry. The attack allegedly killed two FC personnel—Lance Naik Rahib Hussain (son of Ghulam Haider) and another soldier reportedly from Kashmir.
Following the assault, the BLF said Pakistani forces deployed surveillance drones, which were subsequently shot down by the group’s fighters. Local “Death Squad” members reportedly arrived to assist the forces and retrieve equipment but were also targeted, leaving four members injured, according to the BLF.
Major Gwahram Baloch further claimed that on the same day, BLF fighters attacked a Pakistani forces checkpoint on the Quetta-Sibi Highway in the Aap Gum area of Bolan. The attack reportedly lasted 30 minutes and involved heavy and automatic weapons, killing one official and wounding three others. The BLF reiterated its commitment to targeting “occupying forces” as part of its broader goal of achieving an independent Balochistan.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident near Turbat on Sunday, armed attackers overran a police post, seizing government-issued weapons. Officials said the policemen on duty were released unharmed.
In Kalat, armed fighters targeted three vehicles transporting minerals in the Mangocher tehsil on Sunday night, puncturing their tires and causing further damage. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the Kalat attack, which marks the third such incident targeting mineral-transport vehicles in Balochistan this month.
Earlier, in two incidents in Noshki, a total of eight vehicles carrying minerals were attacked. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for those attacks, warning vehicle owners involved in resource transport that continued participation in “exploitation” would result in their vehicles being set on fire.