The Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) on Sunday said seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in two clashes in Mastung and Zamuran earlier this month, while four of its fighters were “martyred.”
In a media statement, BRAS spokesperson Baloch Khan said the first clash took place on 12 September in Mastung’s Dasht area after a Pakistani military drone strike was followed by helicopter landings of commandos. The group said its fighters engaged the troops and killed three soldiers, while two of its members, Abu Bakar alias Majeed and Abdul Had alias Usman, were killed in the fighting.
The following day, on 13 September, BRAS said its fighters clashed with Pakistani forces during a patrol in Kotan, Zamuran. According to the statement, four soldiers were killed and several injured, while two more BRAS fighters, Sudeer alias Barmash and Islam alias Sagaar, were killed.
The group said Abu Bakar Kurd alias Majeed, son of Fateh Muhammad, was from Mastung’s Dasht area and had been associated with the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) for the past year, serving on the Mastung and Quetta fronts. Abdul Had Mengal alias Usman, son of Haji Mussa, was from Kalat’s Johan area and had been affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) for the past year.
Islam alias Sagaar, son of Atta Muhammad, was from the Tanak area of Maskay and had studied at LUAWMS University Uthal. He joined the BLA earlier this year and was active on the Panjgur front. Sudeer Baloch alias Barmash, son of Pir Jan, was from Sri Kahan in Tump and originally from Zamuran. He joined the BLF in November last year and had operated on the Zamuran, Mand and Tump fronts.
BRAS said the sacrifices of its fighters demonstrated that “accepting slavery is not an option” and pledged to continue its struggle until Balochistan could “establish its identity as an independent and dignified land.”