How BLA Relayed their Deadly Message to Pakistan and China Under Operation Herof

Bela, Balochistan- In a meticulously planned and coordinated series of attacks, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched “Operation Herof (Dark Windy Storm)” on Pakistan’s Bela military camp. operation, which began with a devastating vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack carried out by female fidayeen Mahal Baloch, also known as Zilan Kurd, along with anor fidayee, Rizwan Baloch, has resulted in significant casualties among Pakistan military personnel.  

initial attack involved detonation of VBIEDs at entrance of Bela camp, paving way for infiltration by BLA’s Majeed Brige. Led by Operational Commander Ghous Bakhsh Simalani, known as Talib, BLA forces managed to seize control of camp for 20 hours, killing 68 military personnel and injuring dozens more. This dely assault marked commencement of a larger, multi-faceted operation that saw coordinated attacks across Balochistan, with BLA targeting key military and police installations, blocking highways, and taking hostages.  

A New Phase of BLA Operations: Role of Female Fighters  

This operation marks a significant shift in BLA's tactics, particularly in its recruitment and deployment of female fighters. use of women in suicide operations is not entirely new for BLA; however, Operation Herof underscores an evolving strategy where female fidayeen play a pivotal role. Mahal Baloch’s involvement echoes previous incidents, such as 2022 attack by Shari Baloch on Karachi University’s Confucius Center, and 2023 suicide bombing by Sumaiya Qalandrani Baloch against a military convoy in Turbat district.

se operations highlight BLA’s increasing reliance on female fighters, who bring an element of surprise and demonstrate group’s commitment to involving women in its armed struggle against Pakistani state. involvement of former Pakistan military personnel, such as Fidayee Sangat Tayyab, alias Lala, furr indicates BLA’s strategy of recruiting individuals familiar with Pakistani military protocols, enhancing ir operational effectiveness.  

BLA's Strategic Offensive: Expanding Battlefield  

operation was not limited to Bela camp. BLA’s Fatah Squ Special Tactical Operations Squ (STOS) blocked several highways, effectively hampering movement of Pakistani military reinforcements. A military convoy was ambushed on Mand-Turbat ro, resulting in deaths of five soldiers, while anor convoy was attacked near Garari toll plaza in Kalat, claiming lives of 15 soldiers. In Bolan, BLA fighters attacked 16 Frontier Corps personnel, seizing ir weapons and destroying railway tracks to prevent reinforcements from reaching affected areas.

BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch stated that operation aimed to send a clear message to both Pakistan and China to withdraw from Balochistan. group claimed responsibility for deaths of 68 military personnel and temporary capture of Bela camp, while also taking 22 military, police, and Levies personnel as hostages.  

Pakistan's Response and BLA's Counterclaims  

In response, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) condemned attacks as acts of terrorism, accusing BLA of targeting innocent civilians in Musakhail, Kalat, and Labela districts. ISPR's statement claimed that se attacks were intended to disrupt peaceful environment and development of Balochistan.

However, BLA refuted se allegations, insisting that ir targets were exclusively Pakistani military personnel and that any civilians involved were undercover members of military’s death squs.  BLA also released a list of ir martyrs from Operation Herof, paying tribute to fighters such as Muhamm Baloch (Mirak), Sangat Fazal Gul Zehri (Shavez), Sangat Tayyab (Lala), Sangat Junaid Zehri (Kami), Muhamm Asif Nechari (Naveed), and Muhamm Bakhsh Simalani (Khalid), who died in line of duty.  

Escalating Tensions and China Angle  

BLA's operations are deeply rooted in broer context of Balochistan's resistance against perceived Pakistani occupation and exploitation of ir resources. increasing Chinese presence in region, particularly through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has exacerbated tensions, leing to a surge in insurgent activities targeting Chinese nationals and interests.

In response to growing insurgency, Pakistan launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June 2024, aiming to suppress Baloch freedom movement. However, this operation, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has been met with protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and scepticism among Baloch civilians, who fear furr displacement and violence under guise of counter-terrorism efforts.  

Baloch struggle for autonomy, intensified by presence of foreign powers, especially China, is unlikely to subside, raising concerns about future stability of Balochistan and Pakistan as a whole.