Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) fighters killed 14 Pakistani military personnel, overran two posts and seized a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, communications equipment and other military hardware in coordinated attacks near Quetta, the group said in a statement on Friday.
BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the simultaneous attacks began at around 6:00pm on Thursday against military positions in Wali Thangi and Spin Karez, two areas adjoining Quetta.
He said the group’s specialised Fateh Squad led the advance, struck the positions and forced Pakistani personnel to retreat while providing operational and field support to other units during the final assault.
The statement said BLA fighters encircled the Wali Thangi post, killed nine personnel and took complete control of the position, while another unit advanced at Spin Karez, killed five personnel, breached the post’s defensive lines and took control of the second position.
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Following the advance, the BLA said its fighters placed both posts under complete siege and took control of their armouries.
“A large quantity of modern military weapons, ammunition, communications equipment and other important military hardware was seized and transferred to safe locations,” the statement said.
Jeeyand Baloch credited the Fateh Squad with playing a leading role in the operation, saying the unit had “demonstrated exceptional skill, discipline and unprecedented courage, dealt decisive blows to the occupying military and successfully brought the complex operation to its logical conclusion”.
The BLA also said two of its fighters were killed during the operation, identifying them as Mir Alam Kiyyazai alias Salman and Noor Ahmed Sumalani alias Notak.
“The BLA pays a red salute to these great martyrs for their matchless sacrifice, unwavering national spirit and revolutionary commitment, and reiterates its resolve to continue the mission of the martyrs until the ultimate destination is reached,” the statement said.