Two major “pro-independence” Baloch armed groups have claimed responsibility for multiple attacks targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure projects in Turbat, Quetta, and the Mashkay region of Balochistan.
In separate statements released on Tuesday, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks, including the burning of construction equipment belonging to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), the killing of an alleged military informant, and three attacks on Pakistani forces in Mashkay.
BLA Claims Attack on FWO Site, Killing of Alleged Informant in Quetta
According to BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, on February 18 at approximately 12:30 AM, the group attacked an FWO site in Nasirabad, Turbat, setting fire to four heavy-duty vehicles and other machinery. One vehicle and a motorcycle were reportedly seized. The spokesperson added that laborers at the site were warned but released unharmed.
“The occupying Pakistani army is constructing the Turbat-Mand road for its exploitative purposes, which include providing facilities for the movement of the occupying army,” the BLA statement claimed, “and such projects will remain direct targets of our operations.”
In the same statement, the BLA also claimed responsibility for killing an alleged military informant identified as Thakari Doda. According to the group, the attack took place on Thursday, February 13, when BLA fighters “neutralized” Doda in an attack in Ghowarabad, Quetta.
“He was an agent of the occupying Pakistani army and its intelligence agencies,” the BLA said, “involved in directly assisting the army in house raids, enforced disappearances, and recruiting others as agents through blackmail and financial luring.”
The group further alleged that Doda extorted families of missing persons by “promising the recovery of their loved ones in exchange for large sums of money.”
The BLA statement also accused Doda of participating in a 2014 blockade in Margat Chungi under the patronage of Colonel Mudassar and Colonel Ishaq, and claimed that in 2020 he was found to be “facilitating the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).”
“The Baloch Liberation Army accepts responsibility for neutralizing the agent Thakari Doda,” the spokesperson concluded, “and others associated with his network will also be brought to their logical conclusion.”
BLF Claims Attacks in Mashkay, Reports 13 Soldiers Killed
Meanwhile, BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch said that the group carried out three coordinated attacks on Pakistani forces in Mashkay on February 17, allegedly killing 13 soldiers—including an officer—and injuring seven others.
According to the statement, the first attack occurred at 10 AM, when a BLF sniper shot and killed a Pakistani soldier near a road construction site in Bandki, Mashkay.
“The occupying army responded by attempting to encircle BLF fighters, but we anticipated their moves,” Major Baloch said.
“As two military vehicles approached, BLF fighters launched a heavy assault, killing five soldiers and injuring seven, including Lieutenant Kashif.”
In a second ambush, the BLF claimed that another group of seven “enemy” personnel, riding on three motorcycles, came under attack. The group said all seven were killed, with one motorcycle set on fire, while the remaining two motorcycles and a vehicle sustained severe damage.
The spokesperson added that Pakistani military helicopters were later deployed, leading to a four-hour confrontation. BLF fighters reportedly managed to withdraw successfully.
Major Baloch announced that video footage of the attacks would soon be released by Aashob, the BLF’s media wing.
“These attacks serve as a reminder that the presence of Pakistani forces in Balochistan will never be tolerated,” he warned. “Our operations will continue until Balochistan achieves independence.”