Between January and June 2025, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) carried out devastating assaults in Pakistan's Balochistan province, shaking the Pakistani military to its core. In this period, the BLA conducted 284 attacks, resulting in the deaths of 668 Pakistani soldiers and the obliteration of 17 military bases.
These attacks included 121 explosions, 9 special operations, and 3 suicide missions. The BLA occupied 45 strategic locations and seized a large cache of over 115 types of weapons and ammunition.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is a Baloch nationalist armed group fighting for the liberation of Balochistan from Pakistan. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated and least developed province, is rich in natural resources like gas, minerals, and coastal assets.
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The BLA and local residents claim that the Pakistani government exploits these resources, depriving local Baloch people of any benefits. The BLA argues that Baloch people's rights and autonomy are being denied, prompting their armed struggle.
Pakistan, the USA, the UK, and the European Union have declared the BLA a terrorist organization, though the BLA sees itself as a group fighting for Baloch people's freedom.
Source: aajtak
During the first half of 2025, the BLA escalated its activities in Balochistan to unprecedented extents, executing 284 attacks, including...
The BLA claims their strikes resulted in the deaths of 668 Pakistani soldiers and 58 intelligence agents. This presents a severe blow to the Pakistani military's efforts to maintain regional control.
These attacks targeted military convoys, vehicles, and bases using IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). For example, an IED attack on April 25, 2025, in Quetta's Margat area killed 10 soldiers.
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The BLA's Majeed Brigade and Fateh Squad executed three suicide attacks, resulting in the martyrdom of seven BLA fighters. These assaults targeted military bases and critical infrastructure.
The BLA took over 45 significant locations in Balochistan, including the town of Mangochar (Kalat district). In this operation, the BLA's Fateh Squad blocked the Quetta-Karachi National Highway (N-25) and detained local police, who were later released.
Source: aajtak
The BLA fully destroyed 17 military bases, weakening the presence of the Pakistani army in the region.
The BLA confiscated over 115 varied weapons, including automatic rifles, grenade launchers, and RPGs, bolstering their combat capabilities.
The BLA eradicated 131 military vehicles, affecting the supply and communication lines of the Pakistani military.
On March 11, 2025, the BLA hijacked the Zafar Express train, which carried over 400 passengers and 100 soldiers. The BLA claimed to have killed 214 military hostages after Pakistan failed to release Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours, though the Pakistani military stated only 31, including civilians and soldiers, were killed.
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In 2025, the BLA has fortified its strategy. At the start of the year, it united several Baloch combat units and adopted a new warfare approach. This strategy is part of Operation Herof (Black Storm), aiming to seize key highways, coastal routes, and military bases.
The BLA's Jiand (BLA-J), Azad (BLA-A), and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) joined forces under the Baloch Raaji Aajohi Sangar (BRAS) alliance to conduct coordinated attacks, enhancing their operational capabilities.
Source: aajtak
The BLA now targets not only military bases but also supply lines, communication networks, and structures linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). They view CPEC as an emblem of Baloch resource exploitation.
The BLA's Fateh Squad seized the town of Mangochar in Kalat district. They took control of government buildings and held some military and government officials hostage. This operation underlined the BLA's grasp over the region and spotlighted weaknesses within the Pakistani military.
Near Bolan Pass, the BLA hijacked the Zafar Express. The Majeed Brigade and Fateh Squad targeted a military convoy of eight buses, destroying one bus entirely. The BLA claimed to have killed 90 soldiers, although local police confirmed only 5 soldiers' deaths.
A remote-controlled IED strike on a military convoy at Margat resulted in the deaths of 10 soldiers, including senior officials. The BLA labeled this as part of its ongoing fight for independence.
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In May, the BLA executed synchronized attacks spanning 51 locations, targeting military convoys, intelligence centers, and mineral transport vehicles. Over 50 soldiers were killed, with BLA raising its flag over several outposts.
The Pakistani military and government attempted to attribute these attacks to Indian sponsorship, albeit without providing solid evidence. Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attacks, promising retribution for the perpetrators. Pakistan plans to increase its defense budget by 18% in 2025-26 to fortify its military strength; however, the BLA's attacks have indeed highlighted their vulnerabilities.
The BLA has called for backing from India and the international community. BLA spokesperson Jiand Baloch stated that Pakistan talks about peace and brotherhood, but it’s a facade. If India and the world support us, we can dismantle this terrorist nation. The BLA asserts that they are not proxies of any nation but an independent entity fighting for Balochistan's freedom.
The decades-long insurgency in Balochistan is fueled by several factors...
Economic Exploitation: Balochistan’s resources are being exploited without bringing benefits to the local community.
Political Marginalization: Baloch people have been stripped of their rights and autonomy.
Human Rights Violations: According to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, thousands of Baloch activists, journalists, and students have been forcibly disappeared or killed.
