Baloch group claims 97 Pakistani troops killed in July in operations across Balochistan

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed that it killed 97 Pakistani military personnel and seriously wounded 15 others during 48 operations carried out across Balochistan in July, according to ANI report citing The Balochistan Post (TBP).

The armed group also claimed responsibility for killing five people it described as informants and agents during the month.

In its monthly operational report, BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch said the group carried out attacks targeting Pakistani military and state forces, military and economic infrastructure, communication systems and surveillance networks.

The alleged operations were conducted in 23 locations, including Mastung, Khuzdar, Basima, Mand, Tump, Kahan, Chagai, Kharan, Kalat, Quetta, Zamuran, Surab, Mashkel, Buleda, Karachi, Pasni, Rakhni, Naal, Khudan, Balnegwar and Mashkay.

The BLF said its operations were aimed at weakening what it termed Pakistan’s “colonial structure” in Balochistan, preventing the exploitation of the region’s resources and curbing the state’s military presence.

According to the BLF, the most significant operation took place on July 22, when its fighters attacked a Pakistani military convoy at Macro Stop in the Khadkocha area of Mastung.

Major Gwahram Baloch claimed that 17 military personnel were killed and 10 others injured in the attack, which also caused extensive damage to the convoy.

The group said its fighters ambushed seven Pakistani military convoys during July, claiming the attacks caused both personnel casualties and material losses.

Blockades, attacks on camps and checkpoints

The BLF further claimed that its fighters established blockades and took control of nine locations along major highways during the month. It said the move was intended to disrupt military supply routes and maintain what it described as operational control.

The group also claimed coordinated attacks on six major military camps and seven checkpoints across Balochistan.

Drones, surveillance systems targeted

The BLF said its fighters destroyed two drones used for reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as three ground-based surveillance cameras.

It further claimed that 15 Pakistani military vehicles were destroyed in attacks and explosions, while five modern weapons were seized from military personnel.

The group said these actions formed part of its broader campaign against Pakistan’s military and security infrastructure in the province.

BLF outlines guerrilla tactics

According to the report cited by TBP, the BLF used several forms of guerrilla warfare during July.

The group claimed to have carried out 16 heavy-weapons attacks, eight ambushes, five intelligence-led covert operations, four sniper attacks, two grenade-launcher attacks, two improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and one hand-grenade attack.

The BLF’s claims have not been independently verified.

Major Gwahram Baloch said the group would continue its armed campaign with “regularity, innovation, diversity and greater intensity” until achieving what it described as the complete freedom and sovereignty of Balochistan.

With inputs from ANI