The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has announced the completion of a major military operation in Balochistan, claiming to have killed more than 354 Pakistani soldiers and captured 214 others during a week of fierce fighting.
In a statement released to the media on Tuesday, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the multi-phase operation, named ‘Operation Dara-e-Bolan,’ concluded on 18 March after what he described as “the most significant defeat for the Pakistani military in Balochistan’s history.”
According to the group, the operation began in February 2024 with the capture of Machh city. A second phase was launched in March 2025 with an attack on the Jaffar Express train and continued for a week, involving intense battles across multiple fronts.
“In this operation, the occupying Pakistani army suffered the biggest defeat in its history in Balochistan,”
the BLA spokesperson said, adding that 214 soldiers were taken hostage and later executed due to “the enemy’s stubbornness” and “refusal to exchange prisoners of war.” The group claimed a total of 354 soldiers were killed, with more than 100 others injured.
The group confirmed the loss of 13 of its own fighters, including six ‘Fidayeen’ (suicide attackers) from the Majeed Brigade, four from the Fateh Squad, and three from its Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS).
Among those killed was senior commander Sangat Baig Muhammad, known by the alias Tariq, who was posthumously awarded the war title ‘Sagaar-e-Baloch’—the BLA’s second-highest honor after ‘General’—for exceptional battlefield leadership.
“They made it clear that the Baloch national resistance is invincible,” the statement read, adding that their sacrifices will ultimately force the Pakistani army to withdraw from Balochistan.
Jaffar Express Attack
The BLA said the second phase of ‘Operation Dara-e-Bolan‘ began on 11 March with an attack on the Jaffar Express, claiming that “over 30” army, Frontier Corps, and police personnel were killed during the raid, while 214 were taken hostage.
The captured individuals, it claimed, belonged to several military units, including:
- 45 personnel from the 41st Division
- 56 from the 17th Azad Kashmir Regiment
- 47 from the EME Centre
- 15 from the 25th Baloch Regiment
- 26 from the 6th Armoured Regiment
- 25 from the Infantry School
The BLA said the prisoners were tried by the “Baloch National Resistance Court” and sentenced to death based on “irrefutable evidence” of their involvement in human rights abuses, including the “Baloch genocide, enforced disappearances, and war crimes.”
Despite the court’s verdict, the group claimed it offered Pakistan’s military leadership an opportunity to negotiate a prisoner exchange, citing adherence to international laws of war. “However, fully aware of the Pakistani army’s history of deception and broken promises, we issued a 48-hour ultimatum,” the statement said.
According to the BLA, half of the prisoners were placed in train carriages and handed over to the Majeed Brigade ‘Fidayeen’ with strict instructions: “If the enemy launched any military advances, the hostages should be executed and the attacking military commandos should be eliminated.”
The group said that, as expected, Pakistani forces opted for military aggression and launched a rescue operation, leading to intense clashes. Five Majeed Brigade ‘Fidayeen’ reportedly engaged elite Zarrar Company commandos of the Pakistani army for two days, killing several. “When their ammunition ran out, they embraced martyrdom with their last bullets,” the BLA said.
Meanwhile, Fateh Squad and STOS units moved the remaining prisoners to mountain camps. However, the BLA said that when Pakistani forces attacked its positions, the prisoners were executed following the “Baloch National Resistance Court’s”orders. “The entire responsibility lies with the Pakistani army, which chose war over negotiations,” the statement added.
Clashes reportedly continued until 17 March. The BLA said that seven of its fighters from Fateh Squad and STOS were killed while defending their positions but said Pakistani forces suffered “irreparable casualties” and were ultimately forced to retreat from Bolan.
Nushki Convoy Attack and Role of ‘ZIRAB’
Following the Bolan clashes, the BLA said it carried out another “decisive attack” in Nushki, targeting a convoy of eight buses carrying Pakistani army personnel returning from leave.
According to the statement, a vehicle-borne suicide bombing by the Majeed Brigade destroyed one bus, after which Fateh Squad fighters ambushed the second bus. The group alleged more than 90 soldiers were killed and over 50 wounded in this incident.
“Immediately after the explosion, the enemy personnel were left disoriented, allowing the Fateh Squad to ambush and neutralize all personnel in the second bus,” the statement read. The remaining six buses were then ambushed, leading to further casualties
The BLA credited its intelligence wing, ‘ZIRAB,’ for coordinating the operation, saying that ‘ZIRAB’s’ monitoring of “enemy movements enabled the group to inflict heavy losses and neutralize advanced military technology.”
Denial of External Backing
The BLA rejected accusations of receiving foreign support, particularly from Afghanistan or India, calling the allegations “lies and propaganda” aimed at covering up Pakistan’s defeat.
“This outdated accusation has always been Pakistan’s response to any resistance against its state terrorism,” the statement said. “The BLA operates on its own soil, supported by the Baloch people. We neither require nor receive foreign help.”
The group described the historical ties between Baloch and Afghan nations as “thousands of years old,” claiming they were based on shared culture and bloodlines, not modern political interests. “These ties of blood, culture, and history are ancient and cannot be erased by Pakistani propaganda,” the BLA said.
The BLA also accused Pakistan of being the true “hub of terrorism,” alleging state support for groups like ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. “It is not Afghanistan but Pakistan that nurtures the world’s worst terrorist organisations,” the statement claimed.
Claims of Civilian Protection
The BLA denied targeting civilians and said it released all women, children, elderly, and sick civilians on the first day of the operation. “We provided them safe passage, reflecting our respect for international law and principles of war,” the group said.
“All those arrested were military personnel returning to Punjab on leave,” the BLA stated, adding that service cards confirmed their identities. It dismissed Pakistani military claims of civilian casualties as “baseless propaganda.”
“Our struggle is not aggression. It is the defence of our motherland against occupation,” the group said. “Pakistan imposed this war through military aggression. Our fight is driven by love for our people, not hatred.”
The group said the most significant challenge during Operation Dara-e-Bolan was ensuring civilian safety. “If our goal was destruction, not a single civilian would have survived. The train was under our control for hours,” it said. “Instead, we protected unarmed civilians, reflecting superior war strategy and humanitarian principles.”
‘Rules of War Changed by the BLA’
The BLA accused Pakistan of downplaying its own losses while exaggerating BLA casualties to avoid “public ridicule.” “Martyrdom is our pride, not something to be hidden,” it said. “Unlike the Pakistani army, which buries its dead in unmarked graves, we honour our martyrs in national history.”
Describing the Pakistani army as a “mercenary force,” the BLA said it was the successor to the British colonial army, fighting for salary rather than ideology. “They can never match the spirit, courage, and resilience of freedom fighters ready to sacrifice everything for their homeland,” the group said.
Responding to ISPR’s claim that “the rules of war have changed,” the BLA said: “It is not Pakistan changing the rules — it is the BLA.” The group asserted that it has become a “professional, disciplined military force adhering to international warfare principles” and is prepared for a final battle.
Message to ‘Mothers of Punjab’
The BLA issued a message to the people of Punjab, particularly the mothers of Pakistani soldiers. “Do not send your children to die in Balochistan for the ambitions of Pakistan’s generals,” it warned. “You are not our enemy. But if your sons participate in the Baloch genocide, you will see only their bodies.”
The BLA accused the Pakistani army of showing no pride in the deaths of its soldiers. “That is why they hide the bodies of their personnel. If the people of Punjab wish to avoid bloodshed, they must rise against this army and hold it accountable.”
BLA Honours Fighters Killed in ‘Operation Dara-e-Bolan’
The statement paid detailed tribute to 13 BLA fighters killed during the operation. It described their sacrifices as “the foundation of the resistance,” vowing that their memory would strengthen the ongoing struggle.
Among those honoured were:
- Sangat Baig Muhammad alias Tariq, described as a “military architect” posthumously awarded ‘Sagaar-e-Baloch.’
- Fidayee Mehzam alias Meerak, credited with executing the Noshki convoy attack.
- Ehkam Bangulzai alias Badal Baloch, Pervaiz Bizenjo alias Doda, Zafar Baloch alias Manan, Yasir Baloch alias Shahwaiz Bolani, Usama Umar alias Salal — All Majeed Brigade Fidayeen.
- Shakeel Satakzai alias Zorain, Saddam Jan alias Wadood, Fareed alias Sagheer Jan, Eid Muhammad alias Shah Fahad, Jumma alias Mehran, Deedag Baloch alias Qambar: Fateh Squad or STOS fighters, recognized for urban and mountain warfare.
“Their sacrifices have infused this struggle with strength and energy,” the BLA said. “We pledge on their blood that the Baloch struggle will continue until final victory.”
