1 week ago
BLA Claims 25 Killed as Pakistan Reports 48 Militants Dead
The Balochistan Liberation Army, or BLA, said it attacked Pakistani forces in two places.
It claimed 18 personnel were killed near Ziarat Cross.
It also said seven more were killed in Hajika, bringing its claimed total to 25.
The group released a short video that it said showed the first attack.
The video appeared to show fighters, burning vehicles, bodies, and weapons.
Pakistan did not confirm the BLA’s claims about its military casualties.
Pakistan’s military said it later killed 48 militants in raids across several districts.
It said some of those militants belonged to the BLA and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The competing claims could not all be independently verified.
The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed 25 Pakistani military personnel were killed in two Balochistan attacks.
The BLA said its Fateh Squad killed 18 personnel and destroyed two vehicles at Ziarat Cross.
The group claimed five wounded personnel escaped and weapons were seized from the convoy.
The BLA said a remotely detonated vehicle killed seven personnel and destroyed a military vehicle in Hajika, Surab.
Pakistan’s military said 48 militants were killed in raids, while the BLA’s casualty claims were not independently verified.
- Who
- The Balochistan Liberation Army and Pakistani military forces; the BLA’s claims were attributed to spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch.
- What
- The BLA claimed two attacks killed 25 Pakistani military personnel, while Pakistan’s military said raids killed 48 militants.
- Where
- Ziarat Cross and Hajika in Surab, Balochistan, with Pakistani raids reported in Mastung, Sibi, Quetta, and Kalat.
- When
- The attacks were reported as occurring on Thursday or Friday, depending on the article; the Pakistani raids took place over 72 hours.
- Why
- The BLA targeted Pakistani military personnel as part of its insurgency; Pakistan said its forces conducted retaliatory operations against militant hideouts.
BLA’s Account
Pakistan Military’s Account
Casualties in the attacks
BLA’s Account
The BLA claimed that 25 Pakistani military personnel were killed in attacks at Ziarat Cross and Hajika.
Pakistan Military’s Account
Pakistan had not publicly confirmed the BLA’s reported military casualties.
Subsequent operations
BLA’s Account
The BLA described its attacks and said further details would be released, but the articles did not provide its response to Pakistan’s raid claims.
Pakistan Military’s Account
Pakistan’s military said its forces killed 48 militants, including members of the BLA and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, during raids in four districts.
Conflict context
BLA’s Account
The BLA seeks independence or greater autonomy for Balochistan and says it is fighting Pakistani forces.
Pakistan Military’s Account
Pakistan has conducted military operations against insurgents and described the raids as actions against militant hideouts.
Key facts
- BLA claimed deaths
- 25 Pakistani military personnel
- Ziarat Cross attack
- The BLA said 18 personnel were killed and two of four convoy vehicles were destroyed.
- Hajika attack
- The BLA said seven personnel were killed and one military vehicle was destroyed by a remotely detonated explosives-laden vehicle.
- Pakistani military claim
- Pakistan’s military said 48 militants were killed during intelligence-based raids over 72 hours.
- Raid locations
- Mastung, Sibi, Quetta, and Kalat
- Released footage
- The BLA’s media outlet Hakkal released a one-minute-and-11-second trailer allegedly showing the Ziarat Cross attack.
- Verification
- The BLA’s casualty and attack claims were not independently verified, and Pakistan did not confirm the reported military losses.
Sources
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