Chaos in Pakistan? Reports claim BLA captured one-third of Balochistan; Pakistani Army booted out

Unverified reports indicate the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has seized control of a significant portion of Pakistan's Balochistan province, including military posts and border areas.

Shehbaz Sharif

Image Credit: Getty

Several speculative reports have suggested that the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has taken control of nearly one-third of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, including key army posts, and border regions adjoining Afghanistan and Iran. It is further reported that Pakistani forces have abandoned several posts and fled the area.

The situation in multiple parts of Pakistan reportedly resembles a state of emergency, with residents advised to remain indoors. While no official confirmation has come from Islamabad, the BLA's bold statements have stirred alarm and raised questions over the ground realities in Balochistan.

The development comes amid highly escalated tensions between India and Pakistan as on Thursday Islamabad launched a series of missiles and drone attacks targeting several regions in India, including Jammu, Rajasthan, and Punjab. All incoming threats were successfully intercepted, thwarted by India's defence forces, preventing large-scale damage and loss of life.

According to a statement purportedly released by the BLA, the group carried out six coordinated attacks targeting the Pakistani army and its allies in Mastung and Lakki regions. These attacks allegedly involved remote-controlled IEDs and other improvised explosive devices aimed at military intelligence units and communication towers.

In one particularly striking claim, the BLA said that around 4 am. on Thursday, its operatives ambushed members of the Pakistani Army’s Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) in the Dhang region of Zamran. A military officer was allegedly killed on the spot, and the group claims to have launched grenade attacks on several Pakistani positions, resulting in further casualties.

Baloch rebels capture Quetta, Pakistani Army booted out: Reports claim

Adding to the tension, reports suggest that gunfire and explosions were heard around the Frontier Corps headquarters in Quetta, with armed assailants reportedly targeting the Safar Khan checkpoint on Kambarani Road. The identities of the attackers remain unknown.

As of now, the Pakistani government has neither confirmed nor denied the BLA’s sweeping claims, and independent verification remains elusive.

Please Note: Asianet News English cannot verify the authenticity of this. An official confirmation is awaited.