BLF Alleges Over 50 Pakistani Troops Killed in Prolonged Clashes in Balochistan

Quetta: The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed that more than 50 Pakistani military personnel were killed during an extensive and coordinated operation carried out by its fighters in Kharan district of Balochistan on January 15.

According to local media reports, the operation began around 2:30 pm local time and continued for nearly nine hours, during which BLF fighters allegedly took control of parts of Kharan city, seized the city police station, and attacked banks and other government installations.

In a statement, the BLF said dozens of soldiers were also injured in the clashes, including senior officers identified as Wing Commander Colonel Wadhan and Major Asim. The group claimed its fighters initially stormed the Kharan City Police Station, took personnel hostage, confiscated government weapons, freed detainees, and damaged official records, vehicles, and infrastructure.

The BLF further stated that another unit entered the city’s main bazaar and targeted Meezan Bank, Al Habib Bank, the National Bank, and several government offices. It alleged that a bank security guard was killed during the attack, while two individuals linked to a local “death squad” were injured.

According to the BLF, its subsidiary Qurban Unit set up a checkpoint in Kharan’s Red Zone and attacked a military convoy, killing 15 soldiers and destroying several military vehicles. Weapons were reportedly seized from those killed.

The group claimed that fighting in the Red Zone lasted about three hours, during which Pakistani forces attempted to surround the fighters using armoured vehicles and infantry. The BLF alleged that 27 soldiers were killed, two armoured vehicles were destroyed, and remaining forces were forced to retreat.

The statement also claimed that another military convoy, including personnel from an SSG commando battalion, was attacked in the Kulan area, resulting in the destruction of three military vehicles and the deaths of dozens of soldiers, including eight SSG commandos. The BLF further alleged that eight quadcopter drones were shot down during the operation.

The BLF acknowledged that four of its fighters were killed during the clashes and subsequent drone strikes, adding that the bodies of three had been recovered and buried.

The claims made by the BLF contradict the Pakistani military’s version of events. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that 15–20 attackers were involved in the incident, 12 of whom were killed during clearance operations, and asserted that security forces successfully repelled the assault.

With inputs from IANS