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The BLA said its armed operation against Pakistan would continue until the “independence of Balochistan”.
The Baloch Force That Pakistan Army Is Struggling To Crush (Photo: Reuters)
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has intensified its armed campaign against Pakistani security forces, claiming responsibility for 22 attacks across Balochistan over an eight-day period and alleging that 26 Pakistani security personnel were killed.
In a statement circulated by the separatist group, the BLA said its armed struggle would continue until the “independence of Balochistan” from Pakistan.
Reports said at least 26 Pakistani soldiers were killed in fresh ambushes by BLA fighters in Balochistan.
22 Attacks In Eight Days
The BLA claimed that 20 Pakistani security personnel were killed in improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Kalat and Soorab. Separate operations targeted police and security installations in Chagai, Kharan and Panjgur.
The group also claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks in Nushki, Turbat and Quetta. It further claimed an attack on commercial vehicles and the destruction of a railway track in Chagai.
The latest claims come amid an escalation in violence in Balochistan.
What we know about the Balochistan Army?
Speaking to News18, Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch said that the Baloch army has around one lakh active members.
“There are about 1 lakh active members of the Baloch army. It has superiority on ground. It has the 100% support of the Baloch people,” he said.
He said the organisation uses both guerrilla warfare and street fighting techniques and described it as a battle-hardened force.
When asked about the source of the weapons, Mir Yar Baloch said, the group frequently attacks alert army check posts, captures soldiers and confiscates their weapons. He claimed that many of its weapons are obtained from the Pakistan Army during battles.
He said the organisation continues to modernise in various sectors but does not reveal details, adding that it does not share much information for security reasons.
Violence Rose Sharply In 2025
As per reports, there’s a sharp increase in violence in Balochistan. The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies recorded at least 254 terrorist attacks in Balochistan in 2025, resulting in 1,026 casualties. This represented a 26 per cent rise from 2024.
The BLA itself claimed 521 attacks in 2025 and alleged that more than 1,060 Pakistani military personnel were killed and over 556 injured. Independent datasets, however, recorded lower fatality figures.
The group’s reported activities have included suicide bombings, complex urban assaults, IED attacks against convoys and targeted attacks on security infrastructure, railways and communication towers.
2026 Sees Further Surge
On January 30 and 31, the BLA launched 12 coordinated attacks across several districts, including Quetta.
The attacks targeted military posts, police stations, banks, a high-security prison, schools and markets.
Pakistani authorities said nearly 50 people were killed during the initial wave. This was followed by a 40-hour counter-offensive, during which security forces claimed to have killed 145 BLA fighters.
By mid-2026, partial data showed dozens of BLA-linked incidents and hundreds of fatalities involving security forces, militants and civilians during the first half of the year, indicating that the violence had continued at a high tempo.
BLA Claims Control Over Balochistan
Recently, Balochistan declared independence from Pakistan, according to the information provided.
The BLA said it “exercises control” over 85 per cent of the territory of Balochistan. It has also said that Balochistan has adopted a national anthem, “Ma Chukain Balochani”, introduced a national flag and established its own currency, the “Balochi Falus”.
The BLA continues to say that its armed campaign will continue until what it describes as the independence of Balochistan.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The escalating violence in Balochistan, driven by separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army, poses a significant challenge to Pakistan’s stability. This unrest threatens China’s investments in the region, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and mining projects, and could lead to Pakistan losing control of the province.
Ask News18About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
Islamabad, Pakistan
August 17, 2026, 7:19 PM IST
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