The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) says it has taken complete control of Zehri, a tehsil in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, following a coordinated attack on Wednesday. According to BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, the group seized government institutions and set fire to the local police station.
Local sources said that a large number of armed fighters entered Zehri early in the day, taking over key government buildings, including the police station, the NADRA office, and a bank. The fighters were seen patrolling the streets, establishing blockades on Balbal-Zehri and Transan roads, and securing strategic positions in and around the town.
Witnesses said the police station was burned after fighters confiscated weapons and ammunition. Later in the day, the NADRA office was also set ablaze. Sources said Baloch fighters announced their control over Zehri using the loudspeakers of local mosques, warning residents to avoid government installations.
Helicopters were seen conducting surveillance flights over the area, but the fighters reportedly retained control of the main bazaar, nearby hills, and established security checkpoints.
Regional police officials, including DIG Police Khuzdar Sohail Khalid, confirmed the incident but said it was too early to provide detailed information, adding that a high-level meeting was underway to assess the situation.
As of late Wednesday, intense clashes were ongoing in the Sunni area of Zehri between Pakistani forces and the BLA. Explosions and gunfire have also been reported, including attacks on security forces’ vehicles arriving from Khuzdar near Kochu, adjacent to Zehri City. Losses are yet to be confirmed.
The BLA said it would release a more detailed statement of the attack soon. Authorities had not issued further statements at the time of publication.