The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), a pro-independence armed group, said on Tuesday its fighters killed several Pakistani security personnel and blocked a key highway in Balochistan.
In a media statement, BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch said fighters had “completely blocked the important Quetta–Taftan Highway at four different strategic locations” as part of what he described as “Operation Kardigap” on April 6.
The group said one unit took control of a police station in Kardgap, disarmed personnel and later released them, while another engaged a military convoy of more than 15 armoured vehicles near Killi Shahnawaz.
It said additional units set up positions in Panjpai to block reinforcements coming from Quetta, disrupting military movement for several hours.
The BLF said it targeted vehicles carrying personnel of Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG), killing several individuals. It identified those killed as SSG commando Binyamin, Naik Farzand Ali, sepoy Babar Ali and sepoy Abu Bakar.
The group also said another convoy arriving from the Nushki direction was attacked later in the morning, with three vehicles destroyed and multiple casualties reported, including a man identified as Muhammad Muzammil.
The BLF said it used rockets, grenades and automatic weapons during the clashes and claimed to have shot down three quadcopters. It said one of its fighters was also killed.
“Operation Kardigap is a manifestation of our national resolve and steadfastness in the ongoing long war,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Pakistani security officials said six suspected militants were killed during an operation in the Kardigap area of Mastung district.
Officials said security forces cordoned off the area and exchanged fire with armed men for several hours. “Six militants have been killed in the exchange of fire,” one official said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also seized.
Some militants managed to escape into nearby mountains, officials said.
The claims from both sides could not be independently verified. Rights groups have previously documented cases in Balochistan in which missing persons were allegedly killed in staged encounters after Pakistani forces suffered losses in attacks claimed by pro-independence armed groups.