Chaos in Balochistan: Pak Forces Hit by Fresh Wave of Attacks
Baloch Republican Guards and BLF claim heavy casualties and camp seizures in a series of violent attacks across Balochistan and Punjab.
The volatile region of Balochistan has witnessed a violent surge in activity as Pakistani security forces were targeted in a series of coordinated strikes across the Nushki and Kharan districts. These fresh assaults, coupled with claims of captured military installations and high casualty counts, highlight the escalating instability in the region.
Violence in Nushki and Kharan
In the Ahmad Wal area of Nushki, armed fighters launched attacks on security personnel who were moving both on foot and in vehicles on Monday. This incident follows a similar strike on a military convoy in the same vicinity just three days prior.
Meanwhile, the Kharan district has become a flashpoint of intense clashes. Reports indicate that an explosion targeted a security forces vehicle, while the deployment of locally planted mines has significantly hampered military mobility in the area. These events followed fierce fighting in the Lijay area on Sunday.
Local sources suggest that eight security personnel were either killed or wounded during the explosion and subsequent combat. The intensity of the clashes was further evidenced by the reported shooting down of a quadcopter. Additionally, a drone-launched missile strike was reported in the area, though specific details regarding the target or resulting damages remain unclear.
Police Station Destroyed
The volatility in Kharan extended to civilian infrastructure, where fighters reportedly used explosives to destroy the Muskan Kalat police station on Sunday. While the destruction of the facility was reported, no official confirmation regarding casualties has emerged.
The Siege of Sanni Camp
In one of the most daring claims, the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) asserted that they have seized control of the main Pakistani military camp in Sanni, located in the Kachhi district. According to BRG spokesperson Dostain Baloch, the group took over the compound after a series of successive assaults.
The BRG claims the following occurred during the Sanni operation:
- Casualties: 12 Pakistani military personnel were reportedly killed.
- Territorial Control: The group claims to have taken control of Sanni town, including its police station and various government buildings.
- Military Response: The BRG alleges that Pakistani forces used helicopters to evacuate the dead and wounded, while reinforcements attempting to reach the area were ambushed and forced to withdraw, despite the support of gunship helicopters.
Sabotage in Punjab
The violence has spilled beyond the borders of Balochistan. The BRG has claimed responsibility for a Sunday night explosion targeting a critical gas pipeline near Bala Chowk in the Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab. The 36-inch pipeline, which transports gas from Sui in Dera Bugti to Punjab, reportedly suffered severe damage.
Military Operations and BLF Claims
While insurgent groups claim victories, the Pakistani military continues its counter-offensives. A large-scale operation involving artillery and a significant number of security personnel has been ongoing in the Kech district, specifically covering the Dasht, Sholi Bazaar, Front Bazaar, and Siyaji mountain range areas. Local armed groups have alleged that state-backed "death squads" are participating in these operations alongside official forces.
The October Toll
Adding to the grim tally, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) released a monthly report on Sunday claiming to have executed 25 operations throughout October. BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch alleged that these missions resulted in the deaths of over 129 Pakistani military and intelligence personnel, with more than 30 others seriously injured.
A significant portion of these casualties was attributed to "Operation Almas" in Gwadar, where the BLF claims more than 80 military and intelligence personnel were killed. The group further asserted that they destroyed armoured vehicles, intelligence offices, and military barracks during the Gwadar offensive.
As of the latest reports, military authorities have not issued official comments regarding the recent attacks in Nushki and Kharan.