Fierce clashes, explosions and armed attacks were continuing across several districts of Balochistan on Saturday evening, after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said in a statement earlier in the day that it had launched the second phase of “Operation Herof,” which it described as an effort to “defend the Baloch motherland.”
Residents and local sources described an “unprecedented” security situation in Quetta, Nushki, Kalat, Dalbandin, Kharan, Gwadar, Pasni, Mastung, Ornach, Tump, Buleda, Mand and other areas, with reports of gunfire, bomb blasts, road blockades and attacks on police and military sites.
BLA Claims 84 Killed, 18 Captured; Says Fighters Hold ‘Strong Control’ in Multiple Areas
In a detailed statement sent to the media, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said fighters had launched “coordinated attacks at 48 locations across 14 cities,” maintaining what he described as “strong control” for more than ten hours.
He said “84 personnel of the Pakistani army, police, intelligence agencies and CTD” had been killed, while “18” others had been “captured alive and are currently in BLA custody.”
The statement said BLA fighters had “taken control of multiple enemy posts, including central military headquarters,” and that movement of Pakistani forces had been “severely restricted.”
BLA said seven of its fighters were killed, including four members of the Majeed Brigade who it said carried out “fidayeen” attacks inside military facilities.
According to the group, several units, including the Fateh Squad, the Majeed Brigade, the intelligence wing ZIRAB and the Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), were operating jointly across different districts.
It claimed more than 30 government buildings had been targeted or set ablaze, including banks and administrative offices, and that over 23 security vehicles had been destroyed.
The group also said attacks along the Coastal Highway had “paralysed enemy logistics.”
Government Says 10 Security Officers Killed, 37 Insurgents Shot Dead
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said 10 security officers had been killed and praised the forces for killing “37 BLA fighters” during the day.
In a post on X, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said more than “70 armed fighters had been killed” by security forces at multiple locations over the past two days.
He said militants later attempted to launch further attacks in several areas, which “police and Frontier Corps thwarted by taking timely action.”
Attacks and Clashes Continue in Multiple Cities
Residents in Quetta reported hours of explosions and heavy gunfire around the Red Zone, including near the Governor House, Civil Secretariat and judicial complex.
Police confirmed that several personnel, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Faisal Khan Yousafzai, were killed in an attack on a police mobile.
A vehicle-borne explosive device was detonated near the Hockey Ground, close to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Sources said BLA fighters then established blockades near the Secretariat and around Civil Hospital Quetta, while helicopters circled the city.
In Nushki, residents reported sustained gunfire and explosions near Frontier Corps installations, judicial court and the local ISI office.
Footage shared by the BLA appeared to show the Deputy Commissioner of Nushki in the custody of armed fighters.
Local sources in Mastung said BLA fighters took control of parts of the town, stormed government offices and “released more than 30 prisoners” from the district jail.
An explosion damaged the main gate of a forces’ camp in Kalat, which residents said involved a vehicle laden with explosives. Armed clashes continued in surrounding areas.
Gunfire and blasts were also reported in Dalbandin following a suicide vehicle attack on the main military camp. Sources said attackers entered the facility after the explosion.
Local sources in Ornach said more than 20 security personnel were killed and seven others captured after BLA fighters intercepted several patrols.
In Mand, armed men torched government offices, including banks. Heavy firing was reported near the main military camp.
Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported from the city Kharan.
In Gwadar, residents reported multiple explosions near the port area.
Sources said attackers entered parts of the port complex and targeted projects linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Gunfire was also reported near Coast Guards installations.
Video Messages and Battlefield Footage Released
The BLA released a video showing its commander-in-chief Bashir Zeb Baloch standing with fighters and urging “Baloch women and men to come out of their homes” and join what he called a “decisive war.”
He said the process of “expelling the Punjabi army and the Punjabi state from Balochistan has begun.”
Separate Audio messages from Gwadar, Pasni, Nushki, Kharan and Dalbandin featured BLA fighters, including female combatants, updating operation commanders from the battlefield.
Political Leaders Say State Has ‘Lost Its Writ‘
Former senator and senior JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah said the government had “lost its writ,” claiming several districts had been “encircled by armed groups for hours.”
He said the administration should “accept its failure and resign,” describing the current administration as “illegitimate” and “powerless.”
Baloch nationalist leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal said he had “never in my life seen the situation this alarming,” and questioned the absence of security officials.
“The situation in Balochistan is extremely concerning and has turned the area into a no-entry zone,” he said.
Journalists Highlight Information Blackout, Shifting Strategy
Journalist Shahzeb Jillani said Balochistan remained “an information black hole,” arguing that insurgents controlled the narrative through videos while the government “handed out random figures” to project control.
He said the real extent of casualties and damage was unknown due to restrictions on travel and mobile internet in several districts.
Norway-based journalist Kiyya Baloch said the simultaneous attacks across 12 cities suggested “a high degree of coordination and operational capacity.” He said the appearance of BLA leader Bashir Zeb in new footage appeared intended as a show of strength and mobility.
Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary said the attacks reflect a shift in tactics by Baloch armed groups, with coordinated operations that “temporarily neutralize the state’s writ” in key districts.
He compared the approach to Taliban tactics in the final years of their insurgency in Afghanistan, warning that Pakistan risks losing control over large parts of Balochistan if the trend continues.