Footage from an hours-long operation by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in Balochistan’s Pashtun-majority Pishin district, during which fighters destroyed a police station, set fire to government offices and were seen interacting with residents, has prompted debate over support for the Baloch pro-independence movement among Pashtuns.
A large number of fighters carrying heavy weapons entered Saranan on Aug. 20 and took positions at different locations, keeping parts of the town under their control for several hours.
The fighters set fire to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office and other government buildings. They seized weapons from the police station and later destroyed the building with explosives.
Ten police personnel detained during the operation were subsequently released.
The BLA claimed responsibility for the operation, with spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch saying the group’s fighters had gained “complete control” over Saranan and taken control of the police station, NADRA office and other government buildings.
Jeeyand said the fighters had seized “a large quantity of arms and ammunition” from the police station before destroying the building in an explosion.
Footage from Saranan shows armed fighters positioned along roads as civilian traffic continues nearby. Residents can also be seen gathered around the fighters, with some appearing to speak with them, shake hands and make victory signs.
The scenes have prompted discussion over possible support for the Baloch pro-independence movement among Pashtuns, as Pishin is a predominantly Pashtun district.