The Balochistan Liberation Army rebels claimed to have killed over 200 Pakistani military personnel in over 40 hours after launching the second phase of Operation Herof. They further claimed to have captured central military headquarters in cities since they launched an offensive across 14 different locations in Balochistan on Saturday.
The offensive raid has killed 33 people, news agency AP reported. 18 civilians, including five women and three children, and 15 security personnel were reported dead so far due to the offensive raid.
According to the provincial chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, the rebels stormed inside the home of a Baloch labourer and killed civilians, an attack he condemned. He further claimed that the Pakistani troops had killed 145 BLA rebels in the past two days, which he said is the highest number eliminated in decades.
"The bodies of these 145 killed terrorists are in our custody, and some of them are Afghan nationals," he said.
According to a statement by BLA, the "coordinated" attack carried out by BLA has targeted 48 cities across 14 cities, including Quetta, Noshki, Mastung, Dalbandin, Kalat, Kharan, Panjgur, Gwadar, Pasni, Turbat, Tump, Buleda, Mangochar, Lasbela, Kech, and Awaran. The rebels also claimed to have captured 14 personnel as hostages.
BLA rebels also claimed to have destroyed over 30 government properties, including banks, government offices and prisons and more than 23 "enemy" vehicles were set on fire.
How the attack unfolded
The BLA carried out gun and suicide bombing attacks across multiple locations in Balochistan.
According to the statement issued by the Baloch rebels, seven of their fighters were killed executing the offensive. This included four "Fidayeens", female fighters from the Baloch Liberation Army, from their "elite unit" Majeed Brigade.
BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, in a statement, said that the BLA rebels maintained presence across sites, exerting "decisive pressure" on security forces and local admin. The statement further added, "Pakistani forces had failed to regain control in several areas, including parts of Quetta, while acknowledging that the figures cited were preliminary."
In a later statement, BLA listed out its squads carrying out the operation across various locations. It included the Fateh Squad, the Majeed Brigade, the intelligence wing " ZIRAB", and STOS.
The statement said, "Fateh Squad, the Majeed Brigade, intelligence wing 'ZIRAB', and STOS are advancing across various cities and areas with mutual coordination, placing multiple enemy structures under simultaneous pressure."
The statement hailed public support as key to carrying out the operation, as they had earlier stated that non-obstructing locals would be unharmed and the ones blocking the fighters would be treated as adversaries.
It said, "The officials were freed on humanitarian grounds, with the BLA reiterating that it does not consider police, Levies, or local civil administration as direct adversaries if they do not resist its fighters."
It further added, "Local officials who do not obstruct fighters would not be harmed. However, personnel who side with Pakistani security forces or attempt to block BLA operations would be treated as adversaries."