Quetta. The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed that it killed 97 Pakistani soldiers and five alleged informants, while injuring 15 other soldiers, during 48 operations in Balochistan last month. This information has been revealed in local media reports.
Which targets did the BLF claim to have targeted?
In the organization’s monthly operational report, BLF spokesperson Major Gwaharam Baloch said that the operations targeted the Pakistani Army, other government security forces, military and economic installations, communication networks, and surveillance infrastructure, The Balochistan Post reported.
According to the BLF, these operations were carried out in Kahan, Chagai, Kharan, Kalat, Mastung, Khuzdar, Basima, Mand, Tump, Gomaji, Jhao, Quetta, Jamuran, Surab, Mashkel, Buleda, Karachi, Pasni, Rakhni, Nal, Khudan, Balnegwar, and Mashke. The organization states that these operations are aimed at weakening the Pakistani state system in Balochistan, which it describes as a colonial structure. It also claims that its aim is to stop the exploitation of resources and weaken the army’s control over the region.
Was the Mastung attack the deadliest operation?
Gwahram Baloch described the attack on a Pakistani military convoy near the Macro Stop in the Khadkocha area of Mastung on July 22 as the largest and deadliest operation of the month. The organization claimed that 17 soldiers were killed, 10 others were injured, and the convoy suffered heavy damage.
Did the BLF claim to have disrupted supply lines?
The BLF says its fighters established blockades and control at nine locations on major highways during July to disrupt military supply lines and consolidate its hold on the area. According to the organization’s statement, seven Pakistani military convoys were ambushed, causing damage to soldiers and military equipment. It also claimed to have carried out coordinated attacks on six major military camps and seven checkpoints.
Were drones and surveillance equipment also destroyed?
The BLF claimed to have destroyed two drones used for aerial surveillance and three ground-mounted surveillance cameras. According to the organization, its operations and explosions destroyed 15 military vehicles and seized five sophisticated weapons from Pakistani security forces.
Were different guerrilla tactics used?
The organization’s statement said that different guerrilla tactics were used in the operations carried out during July. These included 16 attacks with heavy weapons, eight ambushes, five intelligence-based covert operations, four sniper attacks, two grenade launcher attacks, two IED attacks, and one hand grenade attack. The BLF’s statement comes at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a rise in attacks targeting security forces, especially in border provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.