The Inter-Services Public Relations Agency (ISPR) of the Pakistan Army has reported that militants launched an attack on the Mach and Kolpur areas in the southwestern province of Balochistan.
According to the ISPR, security forces immediately deployed in the surrounding areas. Late on Monday night, a separatist militant attack resulted in the death of 15 people, including two civilians, in the southwestern Balochistan region of Pakistan. The ISPR attributed the attack to terrorists who targeted the Mach and Kolpur areas. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a prominent separatist group, has claimed responsibility for the assault. The group aims to achieve independence for resource-rich Balochistan, which is the largest province in Pakistan in terms of land area but the smallest in terms of population. It is worth noting that Balochistan is home to two major tribes, the Marri and Bugti, with the BLA having influence over both. Reports suggest that the fear of these tribes is so significant in certain areas that the Pakistani military hesitates to conduct ground operations, resorting to aerial attacks instead. Some sources indicate that BLA fighters have received training from Russia’s former intelligence agency, the KGB. Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar acknowledged last week that the people of Balochistan are not just dissatisfied but are also expressing aspirations for a separate nation. This is the first time a Pakistani leader has acknowledged the demands of the Baloch people. Kakar discussed the issue of enforced disappearances during the interview, emphasizing the need to focus on the return of missing persons. He stated that the people of Balochistan want a distinct identity, identifying it as the root cause of the problem. This statement contrasts with the perspectives of previous governments, which often portrayed the Balochistan independence movement as a concern of a minority. In the aftermath of the attack, rockets struck the walls of the Mach Jail residential colony, where several dangerous terrorists and prisoners are being held. Shuja Kasi, the Inspector General of Balochistan jails, reported that multiple explosions occurred in the residential colony’s walls due to rocket attacks. No damage to any significant facility was reported, and the police confirmed the killing of five militants involved in the attack. After hours of gunfire exchanges between heavily armed militants and the military, the attackers managed to escape into the nearby mountainous regions before sunrise. The military affirmed that no institution suffered any damage during the encounter. Balochistan’s Information Minister, Jan Achakzai, stated that the attackers belonged to the Aslam Achu group, but the responsibility for the attack was later claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
The situation highlights the ongoing complex issues in Balochistan, with separatist groups demanding autonomy and independence, while the Pakistani government aims to maintain control over the resource-rich province.