Balochistan: BLA Claims Success in Kalat Operation, Rejects ISPR’s Claims as Fabrications

QUETTA: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed a successful operation in Kalat, which it says resulted in the temporary control of the city for nine hours, during which at least 25 Pakistani military personnel were killed.

The BLA fighters executed the operation under their “Stay, Hit and Run” guerrilla strategy, aiming to weaken enemy control, seize key areas, and inflict psychological and physical damage before retreating without losses. The group also strongly rejected claims made by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) department, calling them fabrications.

According to a statement released by BLA spokesperson Azad Baloch, the operation began on January 31 at 8 PM, involving over 100 BLA fighters who targeted multiple locations across Kalat, including Mongchar, Khazeena, Johan, Shekhari, and Kuhak. The BLA’s forces successfully overran these areas, inflicting heavy casualties on Pakistani forces while suffering no losses themselves.

The operation, which lasted until 4:30 AM, led to the deaths of at least 25 enemy personnel, several others wounded, and significant destruction of military assets. In Mongchar, the BLA took full control of the town, all entry and exit routes and more than half of a military camp, where five soldiers were killed, and two armoured tanks were destroyed during intense clashes. The BLA fighters continued their assault on the military base from four directions throughout the night.

BLA forces also targeted critical infrastructure, including a bank in Mongchar, which was destroyed by explosives. Key roads in the region, including those in Mongchar Bazaar, remained under BLA control throughout the operation. The fighters established several checkpoints and roadblocks along major highways, disrupting Pakistani military movements.

In one of the most significant incidents, BLA fighters at a checkpoint in Khazeena Soro engaged a van carrying 18 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel. After the FC personnel fired on the BLA fighters, a retaliatory attack resulted in the deaths of all 18 soldiers. BLA fighters seized the weapons from the van. Additionally, two individuals detained at another checkpoint near Mangochar were identified as a Pakistani military officer and an intelligence operative. Both were executed on the spot.

The BLA also seized control of a Levies checkpoint in Khazeena without resistance, sparing the Levies personnel and allowing them to pass safely, citing respect for their Baloch identity and livelihood concerns.

Following the operation, Pakistani forces attempted to retaliate, deploying gunship helicopters, armoured vehicles, drones, and reinforcements from surrounding areas. Despite these efforts, the BLA claims to have inflicted heavy losses on the Pakistani military while maintaining minimal casualties on their own side. The BLA fighters successfully withdrew from the region, completing their objectives and evading encirclement.

The BLA also reported the seizure of a large cache of weapons, including firearms and explosives, from the Mongchar military camp and checkpoints. The BLA emphasised that no civilians were harmed during the operation, and all efforts were made to protect civilian lives and property, with no use of civilians as human shields, a tactic, the statement read, used by the Pakistani military in past operations.

In a bold challenge to the ISPR’s statements, which claimed that the BLA suffered casualties during the operation, the group denied any losses, asserting that they publicly honour their martyrs. The BLA further accused the Pakistani military of fabricating stories to cover up their own failures on the battlefield.

The BLA also took the opportunity to honour three senior commanders who were martyred in an earlier clash in Panjgur on December 14, 2024.

According to the BLA’s statement Commander Majeed Baloch, Commander Diljan Baloch, and fighter Zakir Jan Baloch were killed while resisting a large-scale Pakistani military offensive, which included air strikes, ground operations, and the deployment of drones. The BLA described the martyrs as courageous leaders who played pivotal roles in organising the resistance and advancing the cause of Baloch independence.

The BLA also shared detailed tributes for each of the fallen leaders:

• Shaheed Majeed Baloch (aka Murtaza Kareem) was a senior commander who had been involved in BLA operations since 2012, leading key fronts in Bolan, Shoor, Parod, and Panjgur. He was known for his leadership and commitment to the Baloch cause.
• Shaheed Diljan Baloch (aka Javed Baloch) was an educated revolutionary who had been serving as second-in-command in the Panjgur camp. His intelligence and compassion were celebrated by his comrades.
• Shaheed Zakir Jan Baloch (aka Lakmeer Baloch) was a dedicated fighter who quickly proved himself to be an outstanding freedom fighter despite his short time with the BLA.

The BLA’s spokesperson, Azad Baloch, ended the statement by reaffirming the group’s commitment to continue its struggle for Baloch rights and independence. The Kalat operation, he emphasised, was a significant strategic victory that proved the BLA’s capability to strike at the heart of enemy territory and inflict substantial damage.