Balochistan: A recent clash between the Pakistani army and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) fighters in the Bolan area of Balochistan has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, according to Baloch Liberation Army.
On June 2, Pakistani army and BLA fighters clashed in the Mach area of Bolan. Clashes took place in the Goni Para area. During the clash, the Pakistani army sent commandos in helicopters.
According to a statement released by BLA, at least eight Pakistani army personnel were killed in the hours-long battle, as well as five Baloch Liberation Army fighters were killed.
The BLA released detailed information on several of its fighters who lost their lives in recent clashes. According to a statement from the group, these fighters had been active participants in the organisation’s operations across various fronts.
The BLA’s attack on Pakistani forces is part of a long-standing insurgency in Balochistan, where separatists have been fighting for increased autonomy and the recognition of Baloch people’s rights.
In recent years, the conflict has intensified, with attacks targeting military, paramilitary forces, and government infrastructure. These groups argue that the Baloch are being marginalised and exploited by the central government, particularly due to the region’s abundant natural resources.
In response, Pakistan’s military has launched counter insurgency operations to suppress the rebellion. However, human rights organisations have expressed concerns over reports of forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and excessive use of force during these operations.
Reports have highlighted the serious issue of forced disappearances, where activists and civilians, in particular, are allegedly detained without due process. Furthermore, the heavy-handed tactics used by the military are also under scrutiny.
Human rights groups have argued that these practices foster widespread fear and instability, deepening the divide between the Pakistani government and the Baloch population.
BLF accuses Pakistani military establishment for promting narrative of ISIS-Khorasan
Meanwhile, Allah Nazar Baloch, the leader of the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), has accused the Pakistani military establishment of creating and promoting the narrative of ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-F) as a tool to delegitimize nationalist movements by using the name of the religion, according to a report by The Balochistan Post (TBP).
Nazar suggested that ISIS-K’s doctrinal foundation is a scripted narrative coordinated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military media branch. According to him, the goal is to manipulate public opinion against national liberation movements by falsely accusing them of being proxy for foreign powers, TBP stated.
Nazar stated that the Baloch national struggle for independence is a grassroots movement supported exclusively by the Baloch people and not dependent on foreign powers. He referred to the movement as a genuine manifestation of national sovereignty. According to a TBP report, he accused Pakistan of systematically aiming to degrade Baloch society to remove its national identity and transform Balochistan into a permanent colonial outpost.
Nazar also criticised the security structure in Balochistan, claiming that it is directly controlled by the military rather than the civilian government. He accused the army of fostering relations with terrorist groups to perpetuate regional political instability. These statements are consistent with long-standing charges by Baloch leaders and activists that Pakistan’s security establishment employs radicalism to oppose nationalist movements, according to the TBP report.
The Baloch people have faced systematic oppression and torture through the misuse of several laws, particularly in regions like Pakistan’s Balochistan. Laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Act and special security ordinances have been used to justify arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention without trial, and denial of basic legal rights.
Under these laws, security forces often operate with broad powers and legal immunity, leading to widespread reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture, including physical and psychological abuse.
Military courts and special tribunals frequently try Baloch activists without fair trial standards, further denying them justice. Additionally, media censorship laws suppress Baloch voices and conceal these abuses from the public, perpetuating a cycle of violence and impunity against the Baloch people.
(With inputs from ANI)
