Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Pakistan intensifies military operation in Balochistan's Kharan district
In a part of Pakistan called Balochistan, there is a big fight happening.
Pakistan's army is using soldiers, helicopters and drones to search a district called Kharan.
They are looking for members of a group called the Baloch Liberation Army, which has attacked soldiers and pipelines.
Some people who live there say regular people, not just fighters, have been hurt.
One farmer was reportedly killed by a drone strike, though nobody could confirm this.
The group called for a special 'Black Day' when everyone would stay away from normal life, and the government cut off phones and internet in some places.
Many people in Balochistan are also upset about missing persons and say they want more rights and fairness.
Some people blocked roads to show how they feel, and a gas pipeline was blown up, cutting fuel supplies to several cities.
The government and the protesters do not see things the same way, and many fear more people could get hurt.
It is hard to know exactly what is happening because reporters cannot easily reach the area.
Pakistan has intensified its military operation in Balochistan's Kharan district, deploying ground troops, drones and helicopters in the Lijje area.
The operation has reportedly expanded to Khuzdar, Zehri, Kalat, Moola and Ziarat across the province.
A farmer was reportedly killed in a drone strike and additional civilian casualties are alleged, though the figures could not be independently verified.
The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed dozens of attacks in recent weeks, including killing Pakistani soldiers, and called for a province-wide 'Black Day' boycott.
Civil protests led by groups such as the Baloch Yakjehti Committee have raised demands over missing persons and alleged military excesses, while an 18-inch gas pipeline blast disrupted supplies to Quetta and five other districts.
- Who
- Pakistani security forces, the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and civil activists and protesters in Balochistan including the Baloch Yakjehti Committee.
- What
- An intensified military operation using ground troops, drones and helicopters in Balochistan's Kharan district, amid BLA attacks, infrastructure damage and civil protests.
- When
- Ongoing; the BLA says it has carried out dozens of operations in recent weeks, with the reported escalation continuing at the time of reporting.
- Where
- Kharan district and other parts of Balochistan, Pakistan, including Lijje, Khuzdar, Zehri, Kalat, Moola and Ziarat; a gas pipeline blast disrupted supplies to Quetta and five other districts.
- Why
- The military action is reportedly aimed at suspected militants as BLA attacks intensify, against a backdrop of disputes over resources, development and political representation in the province.
Critics and Civil Society
State and Security Forces
Civilian casualties
Critics and Civil Society
Local sources allege civilians have been caught up in the operation, with a farmer reportedly killed in a drone strike and additional civilian casualties claimed.
State and Security Forces
The military action is reportedly aimed at suspected militants, and the casualty figures could not be independently verified.
Blame for the violence
Critics and Civil Society
The BLA claims it has killed Pakistani soldiers and carried out dozens of operations, with conflict tied to long-running disputes over resources, development and political representation.
State and Security Forces
The BLA is an outlawed group, and the reported military escalation comes as it has intensified attacks across the province.
Response to protests
Critics and Civil Society
Protesters and activists allege detentions and firing during attempts to disperse demonstrations, and demand action on missing persons, alleged military excesses and basic rights.
State and Security Forces
Authorities put security forces on heightened alert during the BLA's 'Black Day' boycott, and communications and internet services were reportedly disrupted in several areas.
- Military operation
- Ground troops, military drones and helicopters deployed in Kharan district's Lijje area
- Operation expanded to
- Khuzdar, Zehri, Kalat, Moola and Ziarat
- Reported drone strike casualty
- A farmer reportedly killed; additional civilian casualties alleged (unverified)
- Militant group
- Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), outlawed; claims dozens of operations and killing Pakistani soldiers
- Infrastructure damage
- 18-inch gas pipeline blown up, disrupting supplies to Quetta and five other districts
- Civil protests
- Sit-ins and rights campaigns by activists, young people and Baloch women, including the Baloch Yakjehti Committee
- Protest demands
- Answers on missing persons, alleged military excesses and basic rights
- Verification status
- Casualty figures and strike details not independently verified due to restricted access and communications