Coordinated Attacks by BLA and BLF in Pakistan
Two Baloch insurgent groups claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks across five districts of Pakistan's Balouchistan on May 18, marking a sharp escalation in the region’s separatist violence.
A series of coordinated attacks across five districts were claimed by two Baloch militant groups, marking a sharp escalation in separatist violence in the region.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said it carried out three attacks targeting Pakistani military and intelligence-linked personnel. In Kalat’s Morgand region, BLA militants reportedly launched a five-hour nighttime assault on a military outpost, killing six Pakistani soldiers and wounding others.
In Gwadar, the BLA claimed an attack near the Tak Tayab Dap checkpoint in Jiwani, injuring two Pakistani Coast Guard members. In Panjgur, it reported killing four individuals, including Mulla Amir—allegedly a key figure in state-backed paramilitary operations—at a hideout. The group accused Amir of orchestrating enforced disappearances and targeted killings, including a 2022 drone strike on BLA commander Hasil alias Doda.
The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) also claimed several attacks across three districts. In Awaran’s Jakro area, militants ambushed military personnel protecting a dam project, killing one and wounding two.
In Saruna, the group said it attacked a mineral transport vehicle. In Buleda, they reportedly disarmed seven Levies guards at a construction site and halted the company’s work.
BLF also claimed roadblocks along the Quetta-Karachi highway in Kalat’s Marjan area, inspecting vehicles and damaging a Telenor communication tower.
The BLA and the BLF have long campaigned for Balochistan's independence from Pakistan, frequently targeting security forces and state infrastructure. These latest attacks reflect greater coordination and an expanded operational reach.