Quetta, July 2 (IANS) The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for 23 operations across several parts of Balochistan over the past 10 days targeting Pakistani forces that resulted in the death of 16 security personnel and injuries to several others.
In a statement issued to the media, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said that the operations conducted between June 21 and 30 targeted security forces, infrastructure, and vehicles associated with what the group described as “exploitative projects.” The group also said that it targeted routes and commercial vehicles as part of what it termed an “economic blockade.”
According to the statement, the BLA fighters on June 23 took control of three locations in the Kharan district – Sarawan, Nouroz Kalat, and Zarozai – for two days. During the operation, the group claimed that two bridges were destroyed, while seven Pakistani personnel were killed in separate attacks and sniper operations.
It also said that its fighters attacked Pakistani forces near Basima and targeted a military checkpoint in the Khairabad area in Turbat, destroying surveillance equipment.
The BLA said that it blocked roads in Mastung and Nushki on June 25 and seized seven freight vehicles, while setting ten others ablaze. The group alleged that the vehicles were connected to projects it opposes.
It further claimed that intense clashes erupted the following day in the Balbal area of Zehri, resulting in the deaths of six Pakistani security personnel and injuries to several others.
The BLA said two of its members were also killed in the fighting. It also said that attacks were carried out on an Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) vehicle in the Karkh region in the Khuzdar district, along with separate operations in Kharan and Basima.
The group said that a remote-controlled improvised explosive device struck a police vehicle in the Mian Ghundi area of Quetta on June 27, injuring four police personnel, while claiming to have disabled three freight trailers in Dalbandin.
According to the BLA, clashes broke out in the Kambela area of Mastung on June 28, during which two Pakistani security personnel and two of its own fighters lost their lives. It also claimed to have targeted a military patrol in Kech with an improvised explosive device attack and also destroyed machinery and vehicles at a construction company camp near Kharan.
The group said that it torched five vehicles in Nushki and Mastung on June 30 and seized a vehicle transporting supplies to a company operating at the Zarghoon gas field near Quetta.
Reiterating its opposition to state-backed development and resource extraction projects in Balochistan, the BLA vowed to continue its armed operations and campaign against infrastructure and economic projects until achieving what it described as “Balochistan’s independence”.
–IANS
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