Pakistani forces have reportedly launched a large-scale military operation in the Dasht area of Balochistan’s Kech district following a deadly attack on their convoy early Wednesday.
According to local sources, the operation began on Wednesday in the remote area located between Kech and Gwadar districts. Gunship helicopters are reportedly involved, and Pakistani troops have encircled Sholeeg and adjoining areas near Siyahji.
The operation was launched just hours after an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted a Pakistani military vehicle in Dasht Zarrenbug. The convoy was reportedly providing security to members of the Qatari royal family, who are visiting Balochistan for a hunting expedition involving rare birds.
Armed Groups Issue Warning
In a media statement, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch claimed responsibility for the IED attack in Dasht Zarrenbug. He said the military convoy was protecting foreign tourists who had come to Balochistan to hunt rare wildlife.
“The convoy was targeted with a remote-controlled IED, resulting in the elimination of three enemy personnel and critical injuries to four others,” the spokesperson said. He added that a military vehicle was destroyed in the attack.
The BLA warned foreign tourists to avoid visiting Balochistan, describing the region as “in a state of war” and emphasizing a ban on hunting rare wildlife in conflict zones.
“In areas where the Pakistani army brings tourists for money to hunt, the hunting of rare wildlife has been banned,” Jeeyand Baloch said. “Anyone who violates this will be forcibly stopped by Baloch fighters and expelled from these war areas.”
The spokesperson added that the attack served as a warning to foreign visitors. “We deliberately targeted the military vehicle instead of the tourist vehicles in the convoy. However, further violations will not be tolerated and will lead to direct consequences,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) issued a warning following a similar attack on December 20 in Kolwah, where the group targeted Pakistani forces escorting Qatari nationals.
BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch condemned the presence of Gulf nationals in Balochistan, describing the region as unsafe due to ongoing conflict.
“The current situation makes Balochistan unsafe for visitors,” he said. “We urge foreign nationals to refrain from activities that risk entangling them in this conflict.”
The BLF accused Pakistan of using foreign guests to create mistrust between the Baloch people and neighboring countries. “By bringing tourists into these war zones, the state is attempting to exploit the situation at the expense of both the Baloch people and foreign visitors,” the spokesperson said.
The group reiterated its commitment to defending Balochistan’s sovereignty, emphasizing that its operations, including the December 20 attack in Kolwah, targeted only Pakistani security forces.
“No harm was intended to foreign visitors; however, citizens from neighboring countries are strongly urged to avoid traveling and hunting in the region to prevent any unintended harm,” the statement read.