An armed group believed to be Baloch fighters took control of Mangochar city in Balochistan’s Kalat district on Friday evening, launching coordinated attacks on Pakistani security forces and government buildings, and blocking the Karachi-Quetta highway.
According to local sources, the fighters entered the city after blowing up a key bridge on the national highway. They halted traffic in and out of Mangochar, set up checkpoints, and stopped several vehicles, including passenger buses and private cars.
Eyewitnesses said the group took control of the city centre, seized government weapons and vehicles, and set fire to several buildings, including the NADRA office, a courthouse, and a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan.
Videos circulating on social media showed armed men draped in Baloch flags patrolling the streets, interacting with residents, and inspecting vehicles.
Clashes and Detentions Reported
Heavy gunfire and loud explosions were reported throughout Friday night as the armed group clashed with Pakistani forces at multiple locations across the city. Local residents said that a security convoy and the main army camp were targeted during the attack.
In a separate incident near Khazinai, close to Mangochar, the group reportedly intercepted a police transport van, detained four officers, and released ten prisoners.
Curfew Imposed
By Saturday morning, authorities imposed a full curfew across Mangochar. Announcements from mosques urged residents to stay indoors, and markets and public spaces were shut down.
Surveillance activity has also increased, with residents reporting regular helicopter and drone flights over the city. They expressed concern about a possible military crackdown in response to the takeover.
As of publication, there had been no official statement from the Pakistani military or government regarding the situation in Mangochar.
No Claim of Responsibility Yet
No group has claimed responsibility for the Mangochar operation so far. However, the scale and tactics closely resemble a similar incident in January, when the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took control of Zehri town in Khuzdar for more than ten hours.
During that operation, BLA fighters took over police and government buildings, seized weapons and documents, aand ambushed a military convoy using a remote-controlled IED. The group later said the operation was part of preparations for the second phase of a broader campaign known as “Operation Herof.”
The BLA launched “Operation Herof” in August 2024, describing it as a multi-phase military campaign aimed at what the group called the “reclamation of Balochistan.”
The first phase of “Operation Herof” included attacks on military camps, road convoys, government infrastructure, and resource projects. One of its most high-profile attacks was a suicide assault on the military headquarters in Bela, carried out by the BLA’s Majeed Brigade.
During the Zehri operation, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said that the group’s STOS and Fateh squads led the assault, supported by its intelligence wing, Zirab. He said the operation had “dismantled the occupying forces’ authority” in the area.