Reports from Zehri, district Khuzdar, indicate that drone strikes have resulted in casualties as the large-scale military operation througout the region enters fourth day.
The exact number of deaths and injuries remains unclear due to the region being under an internet blackout for several weeks. With roads in and out of Zehri also sealed, the tehsil has been under an effective lockdown for the past three days, making independent verification of information nearly impossible. Locals say basic supplies, including petrol, are running out.
According to reports, in Zehri’s Kochav area, continuous shelling by the Pakistani forces has caused significant damage to nearby cotton fields, leaving farmers with heavy financial losses. In the Chashma area of Zehri, mortar and artillery fire has sown panic among residents. While no casualties have been confirmed there, fear has gripped the local population.
Nearby areas, including Dandar and Morenki, have also come under heavy shelling, with reports of damage to residential buildings. Authorities have reportedly begun assessing the damage and attempting to restore order, though details remain scarce.
The ongoing offensive has created an atmosphere of fear as Baloch “pro-independence” groups clash with Pakistani security forces, who are backed by aerial support, armored vehicles, and heavy artillery. Zehri has been under the control of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) for the past several months, with the groups establishing firm and total control over the area in August. The ongoing military operation reportedly aims to “clear” the tehsil of the armed groups and bring it back under the control of the security forces. The true scale of casualties and destruction from the operation is not yet known.