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First Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Operation Baam: How Baloch resistance is shifting from symbolism to strategy
The Balochistan Liberation Front's operation was not symbolic or reactionary—it was surgical and strategic, demonstrating the growing maturity of the Baloch resistance against Pakistani domination, with vital support from local networks read more The BLF has made it clear that Operation Baam is not the culmination but the opening phase of a larger transformation in its military doctrine. (Representational image/Reuters) The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has officially concluded Operation Baam, declaring it a historic success and a decisive chapter in the armed resistance against Pakistani occupation. From July 9 to the night of July 11, the operation swept across the length and breadth of Balochistan, targeting military outposts, intelligence networks, and economic infrastructure, leaving in its wake what the BLF describes as 'a shattered illusion of colonial control'. According to BLF, Operation Baam marked the first province-wide offensive of its kind, with 84 coordinated actions carried out across multiple districts—making it the most extensive armed campaign against the occupying Pakistani state in Balochistan to date. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Baam—meaning 'first light of dawn' in Balochi—was not just a military campaign but a political and national declaration. It symbolised the arrival of a new, organised phase in the Baloch liberation movement, marked by precision, coordination, and an unflinching challenge to the occupying Pakistani state. Scale, Strategy, and Execution According to the final statement issued by Gwahram Baloch, the BLF spokesperson, the operation comprised 84 coordinated attacks across key districts of Balochistan. These included direct assaults on Frontier Corps (FC) and Army personnel, ambushes, drone takedowns, attacks on mineral convoys, and seizures of state checkpoints. At least 50 Pakistani Army and FC personnel were killed, and more than 51 others were wounded. In Musakhel, nine intelligence operatives linked to Military Intelligence (MI) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were killed at a highway checkpoint—an act that sent shockwaves through Pakistan's intelligence community and demonstrated the BLF's operational reach. In the Mand-Tump region alone, sustained blockades and attacks took place across Meerabad, Hothabad, Tagran, and Hairabad, including fierce strikes on military checkpoints at Balicha and Bodigdan. In Sibbi, FC and police posts were attacked, and the Red Zone MI office in Kharan came under direct fire. The Sarmachars, the Baloch militants, launched widespread sabotage operations against state infrastructure. They established over 22 strategic blockades and dozens of surprise checkpoints across Mand, Dasht, Panjgur, Sibbi, Jahoo, and Kharan, effectively paralysing military movement. In Washuk and Nodiz, they overran police and levy outposts, disarmed the personnel, issued stern warnings, and withdrew with control of the area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Economic disruption was a central component: 25 vehicles, including gas tankers and mineral transport trucks, were destroyed or disabled. Financial targets and supply lines were deliberately hit to undercut both state authority and resource extraction efforts. Province-Wide Offensive From the Makran coast to the rugged heights of Koh-e-Sulaiman, Operation Baam unfolded with near-simultaneous assaults across a vast theatre. Fierce engagements were reported in Mand, Kolwah, Kech, Wadh, Kharan, Kalat, Quetta, Sibbi, and Naseerabad—signalling the operation's sweeping territorial span. In Panjgur, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road—a critical artery of economic extraction—was blocked, while gas-carrying convoys were ambushed. Pakistani surveillance drones and quadcopters were shot down in Kolwah, Gwarkop, Jahoo, and Aashaal, effectively neutralising aerial monitoring capabilities. In Jahoo, army encampments in Darukoch, Doleji, and Nondara came under coordinated, multi-directional attacks. In Kalat's Kapoto, Dasht Goran, and Tok areas, five mobile towers were destroyed, severing key communication lines. In Kech district's Buleda area, Sarmachars burnt a United Bank Limited (UBL) branch to the ground and seized weapons from its security guards. Strategic road blockades, checkpoint takeovers, and attacks on police stations echoed across the region—reinforcing the BLF's presence on the ground. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Khuzdar's Wadh area, convoys transporting minerals were struck in direct assaults, and the Wadh Pali Mas central camp in Khuzdar came under heavy attack. Meanwhile, in urban zones like Quetta and Sibbi, government offices and Red Zone assets came under precise fire—showing the reach of the armed resistance into administrative centres. Statement by BLF Spokesperson In his concluding statement, Gwahram Baloch addressed not only the occupying Pakistani forces but also the Punjabi ruling elite. He declared that the occupying state can no longer maintain its writ through violence, repression, and brute force, nor deceive the Baloch nation through conspiracies, divide-and-rule tactics, or the false promises of Islamic brotherhood and parliamentary politics. The BLF accused the Punjabi political and military establishment of perpetuating a colonial project disguised by democratic illusions. The organisation holds that the reality of Greater Punjab's domination—rooted in chauvinism and fascism—has now been fully exposed. With a stern warning, Gwahram emphasised that Balochistan will no longer remain the 'goose that lays golden eggs' and cautioned that any attempt to continue the forced occupation of Balochistan would be met with intensified resistance and bloodshed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In reference to Operation Baam, the spokesperson for the BLF stated that the operation not only represents a shift in the military strategy and operational strength of the Balochistan Liberation Front but also signifies a major development in the broader Baloch national liberation movement. The spokesperson further emphasised that through this operation, the BLF has sent a direct message to the occupying state of Pakistan that the days of its forced occupation and colonial plunder of Balochistan are numbered. Amid the aftermath of Operation Baam, the BLF issued a sharp clarification regarding the same incident in Musakhel, where nine individuals were taken off two buses and executed. Gwahram Baloch stated they were confirmed military and intelligence operatives identified through prior intelligence, not civilians. He dismissed state and media claims that innocent Punjabis were targeted, calling them part of a broader propaganda campaign to discredit the Baloch liberation movement. The spokesperson emphasised that during the operation, hundreds of Punjabi travellers were stopped, questioned, and allowed to proceed unharmed—reinforcing that identity-based targeting did not occur. 'This is not an apology,' he said, 'but a response to the Pakistani army's disinformation war.' The BLF warned international media to scrutinise state narratives and reaffirmed its commitment to distinguishing civilians from occupying forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Popular Support Operation Baam showed more than just armed strength; it revealed an evolved national liberation strategy. This was not symbolic or reactionary—it was surgical and strategic. It showed the maturity of the Baloch resistance movement, with local support networks playing critical roles. Militants appeared with modern weaponry, used thermal scopes and snipers, carried out public addresses, and dismantled surveillance infrastructure with practiced skill. The Pakistani state's reaction, as expected, was repressive. Mass arrests, curfews, internet shutdowns, and digital blackouts were imposed. In Quetta, attacks were reported in Hazarganji, Kirani Road, and Sona Khan—including grenade attacks and bombings on FC installations. Elsewhere, BLF fighters disabled gas tankers in Dalbandin and damaged multiple mineral-transporting convoys on the Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Sibi highways. Snap checks and public addresses were carried out from Wadh and Kharan to Kalat and Dasht, often in broad daylight, signalling the organisation's territorial confidence. In areas like Dasht, Mand, and Kolwah, eyewitnesses reported that locals greeted fighters with slogans and support, even during active blockades. Videos also appeared on social media, and the organisation's media wing uploaded footage showing people enthusiastically greeting the BLF fighters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Political Intent and National Message The symbolic resonance of Operation Baam cannot be overstated. The name, meaning the first light of dawn, now echoes across Balochistan as a declaration of awakening. The operation not only shattered dozens of Pakistani military installations but also dealt a blow to the narrative that the Baloch liberation struggle is fragmented or fading. Instead, it has emerged renewed, bold, and coordinated. The BLF's ability to simultaneously target strategic assets, disrupt state control, and directly engage with local people indicates a new phase of resistance—one that cannot be silenced through conventional repression. A Shift Toward Total Resistance With the successful completion of Operation Baam, the BLF has demonstrated a shift from sporadic guerrilla actions to organised military offensives with national significance. It's clear message to Pakistan, and particularly to the Punjabi ruling structure, is one of defiance and inevitability. As the Baloch nation continues to rise in resistance, Operation Baam stands as a historic marker. It represents not just retaliation, but vision—a vision of sovereignty, freedom, and dignity, carved out of fire and sacrifice and echoing across the hills, plains, and coasts of occupied Balochistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BLF has made it clear that Operation Baam is not the culmination but the opening phase of a larger transformation in its military doctrine. From this point forward, even more lethal, widespread, and strategically coordinated operations will be carried out across Balochistan. As Gwahram Baloch stated, the longer the Pakistani ruling class—including politicians, intellectuals, and supporters—delays accepting Balochistan's independence and ending the occupation, the heavier the price they will have to pay. Deedag Mehr writes on Baloch armed organisations, with a focus on the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). He can be followed on X @DeedagMehr. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BLF concludes ‘Operation Baam'
Operation Baam shakes Balochistan (ANI) The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed responsibility for a sweeping wave of armed assaults across Balochistan, declaring the 'successful completion' of Operation Baam, a large-scale military campaign involving 84 coordinated attacks over two days, The Balochistan Post reported. BLF spokesperson said the attacks occurred between July 9 and July 11, targeting Pakistani military personnel & intelligence operatives.
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
India's proxy war of terrorism
EDITORIAL: The Corps Commanders' Conference on Thursday once again underscored Pakistan's growing concerns over India's role in fomenting terrorism within this country. In the wake of the Pahalgam incident, and what was described as India's 'manifest defeat in direct aggression against Pakistan', the military leadership called for 'decisive and holistic actions at all levels' against Indian-backed and -sponsored proxies. The use of proxies by India reflects a well-documented pattern of behaviour in recent years, particularly since the rise to power of ultra-Hindu nationalist Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in 2014. Pakistan has consistently highlighted India's support for separatist and militant elements, most notably Baloch insurgent groups and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist outfit, both of which have been involved in high-profile terrorist attacks. The urgency of the matter was underscored by events on the very day of the conference in the Sur Dukai area of Baluchistan, where armed men stopped two buses, checked passengers' identity cards, and dragged out nine of them with Punjab addresses to be shot dead in cold blood. The so-called Balochistan Liberation Front later claimed responsibility for the heinous act. Pakistan has submitted multiple dossiers to the United Nations and other international bodies, detailing Indian financial and logistical support for these terrorist groups, often operating from Afghan soil or via clandestine regional networks. The issue gained significant traction following the 2016 arrest of a serving Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav in Baluchistan. Found in possession of a passport under a fictitious Muslim name, Jadhav later confessed on video to orchestrating subversive activities in that restive province on behalf of India's intelligence agency, RAW. A striking element of the top brass' assertions is the pointed reference to India's National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval. Just a day before the Corps Commanders' meeting, Director General of ISPR, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, had also named Doval as the 'chief architect of terrorism in Pakistan.' This, of course, did not come as a surprise. Doval has, on multiple public platforms and in think-tank discussions, outlined his 'offensive defence' doctrine – a Pakistan-centric strategy that advocates taking the fight to adversary through covert means. This doctrine has come to symbolize India's use of violent proxies to destabilise this country. The military's call for 'holistic' action reflects the evolving nature of modern security challenges, which requires a multi-dimensional approach. In addition to military readiness it demands greater political alignment and economic resilience—especially at a time when Pakistan is grappling with political uncertainty and grim economic challenges. Meanwhile, India's attempts to offset its military setbacks through proxy warfare leave limited space for diplomatic engagement in an already fragile regional environment. Common sense suggests that both nuclear-armed neighbours work to de-escalate tensions. Unfortunately, however, India's interference via proxies continues, adding to the tensions between two nuclear-armed countries. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Kuwait Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Armed men kidnap, kill nine Pakistani bus passengers
QUETTA: Rescue personnel transfer the body of a bus passenger into an ambulance, a day after he was killed in a militant attack allegedly by the separatist group Balochistan Liberation Front (BLA), at the Zhob district in Balochistan province on July 11, 2025. -- AFP QUETTA, Pakistan: Pakistan's authorities retrieved the bullet-ridden bodies of nine bus passengers kidnapped by insurgents in a spate of attacks on buses in the mountainous southwestern province of Balochistan, officials said on Friday. The separatist Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed the killings of the nine laborers, saying that they were involved in spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies. Baloch separatists, who have been demanding a greater share of resources, have played a role in similar past killings of those identified as hailing from the eastern province of Punjab. Government official Naveed Alam said the bodies with bullet wounds were found in the mountains overnight, while a provincial government spokesman, Shahid Rind, said the passengers were seized from two buses on Thursday evening. 'We are identifying the bodies and reaching out to their families,' he said, adding that the victims, working as laborers in the restive region, were returning home to Punjab. They include two brothers who were going to attend the funeral of their father, Alam said. Ethnic insurgents accuse Pakistan's government of stealing regional resources to fund expenditure elsewhere, mainly in the sprawling province of Punjab. Security forces foiled three insurgent attacks on Thursday before the kidnappings, Rind said, accusing India of backing the militants. The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. New Delhi denies accusations by Islamabad that it is funding, training and backing the militants in a bid to stoke instability in the region, where Pakistan relies on China among international investors to develop mines and mineral processing. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the strongest among the insurgent groups long operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region. In recent months, separatists have stepped up their attacks, mostly targeting Pakistan's military, which has launched an intelligence-based offensive against them. Their other main targets have been Chinese nationals and interests, in particular the strategic port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, with the separatists accusing Beijing of helping Islamabad to exploit resources. The BLA blew up a railway track and took over 400 train passengers hostage in an attack in March that killed 31. – Reuters
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
70 attacks in 4 days: What is happening in Balochistan?
A few days after the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) announced the start of 'Operation Baam,' around 70 attacks have been carried out across the Balochistan and other provinces in Pakistan. At least four people were killed while 12 others were wounded in a bomb blast in Pakistan's turbulent southern province of Balochistan in May 2025(AFP) The Balochistan Liberation Front announced the start of Operation Baam on July 8. Since then, the BLF has claimed responsibility for 70 attacks across the region. "The Balochistan Liberation Front has announced that 80% of the objectives of its ongoing military campaign, Operation Baam, have been successfully achieved," read a press statement issued by Major Gwahram Baloch, the spokesperson for the BLF. Earlier on Friday, nine passengers were kidnapped from Punjab-bound buses and killed by unidentified gunmen. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Pakistani government has alleged the involvement of the Fitna al-Hindustan. Balochistan's chief minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti vowed "no mercy" for the "terrorists" behind the attack. 'We will crush every single terror plan with full force, unwavering resolve, and complete unity,' CM Bugti was quoted as saying by Geo News. 'We will deal with terrorists with full force. The blood of innocent people will be avenged. With resolve, unity, and strength, we will confront the scourge of terrorism and uproot it completely,' read an official statement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office. What is Operation Baam? Operation 'Baam' or Operation Dawn, is a series of operations announced by the Baloch Liberation Front on July 8. As per the official statement issued by the BLF, the operation marks a "new dawn in the Baloch national liberation war." "From the Makran coastal region to the mountainous Koh-e-Suleman range," the BLF has vowed to carry a series of "coordinated and multifaceted attacks against the enemy." "Operation Baam is designed to demonstrate that Baloch fighters are capable of launching large-scale, synchronised operations across vast geography.," Major Gwahram said, announcing the operation. As it continues, Operation Baam has marked the BLF's most extensive attacks in recent years. 70 attacks in 4 days Within a few hours of the launch of the Operation, the BLF had already claimed responsibility for 17 attacks in Panjgur, Surab, Kech, and Kharan. However, after the latest kidnapping and killing, the total number of attacks has been increased to 70. "So far, over 70 coordinated attacks have been carried out across Balochistan under this operation. Baloch Sarmachars (freedom fighters) have targeted state infrastructure, security forces, and Pakistan's economic interests in this strategic actions," Major Gwahram was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The BLF's attacks have ranged across districts and have disrupted connectivity, train services and have also worked to block key sections of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which serve as a key part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. A day before the kidnapping and killing of nine passengers, a grenade attack in Balochistan's Tubat area injured five people. In a separate attack, a police check post in Sibi was also targeted by BLF forces. Leading up to the announcement of the Operation, Pakistan has also reported a series of forced abductions across its northwestern regions and Balochistan. From students to journalists, several people were abducted, especially from Sindh and Karachi. Another key BLF attack took place in March 2025 when a group of insurgents hijacked a Jaffar Express train with around 400 passengers in Quetta. A total of 64 people were killed in the hijacking and rescue operations, which included 33 militants from the BLF. What is BLF's aim with the operation? The Baloch Liberation Front has been at the forefront of Balochistan's right to autonomy. The separatist group, founded in 1964, has accused Pakistan of exploiting the region's resources and denying its people basic rights and autonomy. After independence from British India, Balochistan was declared an independent state. However, in 1948, after the partition, the region was incorporated into Pakistan. For decades, the Baloch people have sought independence from Pakistan. Citing decades of violence, forced kidnapping and human rights violations, in May 2025, nationalist leaders in the province sought independence and urged the United Nations to recognise the "Republic of Balochistan".
