Latest news with #OperationHerof2.0
First Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Balochistan vs Pakistan: Activists Demand India's Help Vantage with Palki Sharma
Balochistan vs Pakistan: Activists Demand India's Help | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Balochistan vs Pakistan: Activists Demand India's Help | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G The 'Republic of Balochistan' is trending online, and the call for independence is louder than ever. Amid a surge in separatist attacks, the Baloch Liberation Army has launched Operation Herof 2.0—targeting military convoys and outposts across Pakistan. Baloch activists are now asking India and the UN for diplomatic recognition. Their demand: an independent Baloch state. The hashtag 'Republic of Balochistan' is gaining global traction. Is this Pakistan's next internal crisis? See More
First Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
78 Attacks in 58 Locations: Baloch Separatists Challenge Pakistan Vantage with Palki Sharma
78 Attacks in 58 Locations: Baloch Separatists Challenge Pakistan | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G 78 Attacks in 58 Locations: Baloch Separatists Challenge Pakistan | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Pakistan's largest province is on the boil. Baloch fighters have launched a fierce new campaign. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has carried out 78 attacks in 58 locations this month alone, targeting military posts and convoys. This new offensive—Operation Herof 2.0—has shaken the Pakistani state. Baloch activists are now calling for international recognition of an independent Balochistan. They're seeking support from India and the United Nations. See More
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First Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
How Baloch Liberation Army's shifting approach signals its growing political understanding
By linking its cause to broader concerns about regional terrorism, nuclear security, and stability, the BLA is framing its resistance not just as a local liberation struggle but as part of a larger fight against militarism and extremism read more As Pakistan clings to its control over Balochistan through militarisation and resource exploitation, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) continues to assert itself as the most formidable indigenous resistance force in the region. The BLA's recent attacks on May 11, 2025, and declared military exercises for the anticipated Operation Herof 2.0 underscore its strategic evolution and growing capacity to strike at the heart of the Pakistani state and its foreign collaborators. The name 'Herof', which means 'Black Storm' in Balochi and Brahui, reflects the symbolism of the operation as violent, sweeping, and unpredictable. These military exercises were aimed at testing enemy responses, gathering intelligence, and preparing for Herof 2.0, demonstrating the BLA's preparedness for sustained conflict. If Operation Herof was a storm, the next might well be a deluge, heralding a more intense and coordinated campaign. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BLA's twin statements on May 11 not only laid out the operational details of these attacks but also conveyed a broader political and military message. The organisation claimed responsibility for over 71 coordinated attacks across more than 51 locations in Balochistan, targeting Pakistani military convoys, checkpoints, intelligence agencies, mineral transport vehicles, and death squad (Pakistan military–backed militias) agents. In one of the most significant operations, BLA militants seized control of the Hoshab area in Kech, taking over the Levies police station and NADRA office, confiscating weapons, and burning both buildings after positioning themselves along the highway for snap checking. Similarly, in Bonistan, Panjgur, fighters held control for over four hours, engaging in combat, continuing snap checking on the main highway, and targeting a fleeing death squad vehicle with heavy gunfire—resulting in serious losses. The third major assault took place in Majboorabad, where a military convoy was ambushed, killing 14 personnel, injuring others, and destroying three vehicles along with a surveillance drone, according to the BLA's May 11 statement. These coordinated, systematic, and decisive attacks not only caused significant casualties and property losses to the Pakistani forces but also demonstrated the BLA's readiness and military capabilities for Operation Herof 2.0. As part of these exercises, BLA carried out seven more attacks across Ornach, Panjgur, Kalat, Noshki, and Sibi districts. These included road blockades, IED blasts, and armed assaults on Pakistani military outposts. According to the BLA, these attacks form part of its long-term strategy to destabilise the occupying forces and prepare for more extensive engagements in the future. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But these attacks are more than just battlefield victories; they reflect a broader military build-up for Operation Herof 2.0, the sequel to the August 2024 Operation Herof, the largest insurgent offensive in Balochistan's modern history. That operation targeted 13 districts, destroyed 44 military and economic targets, and resulted in the deaths of at least 130 Pakistani soldiers, according to the BLA's spokesperson. Centred around coordinated fidayeen missions, sabotage of infrastructure, and short-term territorial control, Herof marked a new phase in the BLA's warfare—more sophisticated, more disciplined, and far more difficult for Islamabad to suppress. A Legitimate War of Liberation Despite Islamabad's relentless branding of BLA as a terrorist group, the movement has repeatedly proven that it functions not as a scattered band of militants but as a disciplined resistance force for national liberation. The BLA's fighters undergo structured military training, operate under a centralised command, and follow a coherent ideological framework rooted in the Baloch people's right to self-determination. The organisation's legitimacy comes not from external validation but from the mass support for the Baloch nation, its historical grievances, and its consistent demand for independence following Pakistan's 1948 annexation of Balochistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a powerful segment of its May 11 statement, the BLA reiterated its appeal to India and other regional powers to recognise its status as a national liberation movement and to support its fight against Pakistan's colonial occupation. This is a calculated call that underscores the widening regional scope of the Baloch liberation struggle. The BLA argues that helping Balochistan regain its sovereignty would serve not only the Baloch people but also regional stability by weakening a militarised Pakistan that continues to nurture extremist proxies across South Asia. Operation Herof's Strategic Impact The first Operation Herof was not merely symbolic. Launched in August 2024, it marked a transformation in the BLA's approach—away from hit-and-run ambushes and toward prolonged, multi-layered campaigns involving dozens of strategic points. One of the most high-profile actions of the operation occurred in Lasbela district of Balochistan, where the BLA's self-sacrificing unit Majeed Brigade Fidayeen, stormed a paramilitary base with vehicle-borne explosives and automatic weapons, killing 68 soldiers and occupying the compound for over 20 hours. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Simultaneously, the BLA's elite units, Special Operation Tactical Squad (STOS) and Fatah Squad, executed highway blockades, targeting Pakistani convoys and effectively shutting down logistics in several areas. The BLA's use of surveillance technology, real-time intelligence through its intelligence wing ZIRAB, and locally supported logistics made Operation Herof one of the most successful guerrilla offensives in South Asia in recent decades. But perhaps even more telling was the Zehri Control, conducted earlier in 2024, which BLA described as a 'military exercise' for Herof 2.0. Fighters from the STOS seized control of government buildings, police stations, and banks in Zehri without harming civilians, remaining in control for hours before voluntarily withdrawing. This act was not only militarily significant; it was also deeply symbolic, demonstrating BLA's capability to govern and its commitment to a disciplined liberation ethic. Fidayeen Warfare and Asymmetrical Supremacy Since its inception, the BLA's Majeed Brigade has led the charge in self-sacrificing or fidayeen warfare, a tactic designed to maximise impact on high-value military and economic targets. Rather than chaotic violence, these attacks are the result of deliberate planning and strategic calculation, carried out with a precision that speaks to the depth of the conflict and the determination behind it. From the 2018 attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi to the 2022 bombing at the Confucius Institute, the BLA's fidayeen operations have struck at the core of Pakistan's strategic partnerships, especially with China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 2024 fidayeen attack on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, targeting Chinese investors and engineers; the attack on a military train in Quetta, killing more than 30 personnel; and the attack on a military convoy bus in Noshki, killing 90 personnel, further displayed the BLA's capability to strike in the heart of urban Pakistan. These are not the actions of a fragmented militant group but of an organised resistance force with a clear chain of command, battlefield discipline, and strategic foresight. Operation Dara-e-Bolan and Expansion Another key milestone in the BLA's recent military history was Operation Dara-e-Bolan, initially carried out between January 29 and 31, 2024. Involving 385 fighters from four specialised and elite BLA units, the offensive resulted in the control of a 70km radius, including Mach town and the NH-65 highway. According to BLA's media wing, over 78 Pakistani security personnel were killed, with minimal BLA casualties—only one fighter from the Fatah Squad was martyred, along with 12 fidayeen in Majeed Brigade-style suicide operations. It was one of the rare offensives where the BLA held territory for several days, underscoring its evolution into a structured liberation force. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More recently, between March 11 and 18, 2025, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched the second phase of Operation Dara-e-Bolan on a broader scale. According to the organisation's official statement, the hijacking of the Jaffar Express near Bolan district and a fidayeen attack on a military bus convoy in Noshki resulted in over 354 'enemy fatalities', 214 captures, and more than 100 injuries. The VBIED fidayeen strike in Noshki, which targeted a military convoy of eight buses, killed over 90 army personnel and wounded dozens more. Together, these operations mark a significant escalation in the organisation's operational capacity, territorial ambition, and strategic coordination—signalling a potential shift from guerrilla-style insurgency to a more organised and territorial confrontation. What to Expect from Herof 2.0 The upcoming Operation Herof 2.0 promises to surpass its predecessor in scale, coordination, and impact. Given the May 11 exercises, it's evident that the BLA is preparing for a campaign of attritional and symbolic attacks across both military and economic domains. As the Pakistani state deepens its reliance on foreign investment, particularly from China, BLA's operations have increasingly targeted the infrastructure and personnel associated with such ventures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The message is clear that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will not proceed without resistance, and any development on Baloch land without the consent of its people will be met with force. The BLA's focus on infrastructure sabotage, oil and gas pipelines, and Chinese convoys reflects a larger anti-colonial ethos that opposes foreign exploitation masked as development. Push for Diplomatic Recognition The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has made a decisive push for regional and international recognition, declaring that a 'new order has become inevitable in the region'. In its recent statement on May 11, 2025, the organisation emphasised its independent political and military standing, rejecting all claims that the Baloch resistance is a proxy movement. The BLA stressed that it is not a silent spectator but a key actor in the emerging strategic formation of South Asia. The organisation specifically called on India and neighbouring states to re-evaluate their policies towards Pakistan, warning that Islamabad's repeated peace gestures are nothing more than deceptive war tactics. 'Every promise from Pakistan is soaked in blood,' the BLA stated, accusing the country's military and intelligence agencies of sponsoring extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and ISIS. With nuclear weapons in the hands of what the BLA described as a fanatical and failing military regime, the risks to regional and global peace are growing more dangerous by the day. Positioning itself as a stabilising force, the BLA asserted that its armed resistance in Balochistan, conducted without any foreign support, has successfully challenged one of the world's nuclear powers. With diplomatic and defence support, particularly from India, the Baloch struggle could dismantle what it calls a 'terrorist state' and pave the way for a peaceful, independent Balochistan that actively contributes to regional security. The BLA offered a direct alliance to India and other powers, pledging readiness to strike from the western front if a broader regional initiative is taken to neutralise Pakistan. Drawing a historical parallel, it urged India to view the Baloch struggle the same way it supported Bangladesh's liberation in 1971, framing the moment as a rare convergence of moral duty and strategic interest. In the BLA's view, ignoring Pakistan's military dominance today risks not only regional instability but also the perpetuation of state-sponsored terrorism across borders. Calling itself the guarantee of a 'progressive' and 'terrorism-free' Balochistan, the BLA urged the world to recognise its long-standing resistance and legitimate status. For South Asia to move toward lasting peace, the organisation argued that supporting the Baloch freedom movement is no longer a political option—it is a strategic necessity grounded in regional stability, justice, and self-determination. This appeal reflects a notable shift in the BLA's strategic posture, from a primarily guerrilla movement to one that seeks to define the geopolitical landscape. By linking its cause to broader concerns about regional terrorism, nuclear security, and stability, the BLA is framing its resistance not just as a local liberation struggle but as part of a larger fight against militarism and extremism. Its outreach to India and other powers also signals a move toward more overt political diplomacy—an attempt to break out of isolation and enter international security discourse. While such appeals may not immediately result in formal recognition, they indicate a growing political maturity and an acute understanding of regional fault lines that the BLA is now seeking to influence. BLA Redefining Armed Resistance As the dust settles from the May 11 attacks and the region anticipates the arrival of Operation Herof 2.0, it is evident that the BLA is no longer a marginal force; it is a central actor in South Asia's security matrix. Its ability to combine tactical brilliance, ideological legitimacy, and disciplined military strategy makes it a unique liberation army in the 21st century. Pakistan's continued repression—disappearances, mass killings, and demographic engineering—will only push more Baloch youth into the arms of the BLA. And as long as the Baloch people's demands for sovereignty remain unaddressed, the BLA's relevance will not diminish; it will expand. Operation Herof 2.0 might just be the blow that shakes the foundation of Pakistan's control over Balochistan, signalling to the world that the age of passive resistance is over and that the Balochs have chosen the path of self-determined liberation by all necessary means. Mehrzaad Baluch is a Pakistan-based journalist writing under a pen name. His reporting focuses on Baloch armed organisations, with a particular emphasis on the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). 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
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Not Pakistan's people': Why Balochistan is turning to India amid a firestorm
The Baloch Liberation Army ( BLA ) has escalated its armed campaign against the Pakistani state, claiming a wave of attacks that stretch across multiple districts in Balochistan. The campaign, called 'Operation Herof 2.0', involved 78 coordinated operations at 58 locations, including key strikes on military posts and security infrastructure. The situation in Balochistan is reaching a critical juncture. Calls for independence are no longer confined to isolated militant groups. There is now a coordinated, vocal, and increasingly public push for sovereignty. Keywords like "Baloch Liberation Army", " Republic of Balochistan ", and " Balochistan independence " are trending across digital platforms. This is no longer a low-intensity conflict. It's a rebellion at full tilt. Seven attacks in 24 hours In a recent string of assaults, BLA fighters took control of a key highway at Ornach Cross in Khuzdar for more than two hours. During this time, they conducted vehicle checks and targeted two trucks allegedly transporting natural resources from the region. GIF89a����!�,D; Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Brand Needs Graphic Design – Here's Why Graphic Design Learn More Undo "Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters maintained control of the highway at Ornach Cross in the Khuzdar area for over 2 hours. During the blockade snap checks continued, while 2 vehicles involved in looting Baloch national resources were targeted," said BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch. The group claimed it captured and burned down a Levies Force checkpost and later attacked a military post in Panjgur using automatic weapons and rocket launchers. "BLA freedom fighters targeted a post of occupying Pakistani army at Nokabad in Panjgur on Sunday night. Fighters attacked occupying army with automatic weapons, while rocket launchers and several shells using grenade launchers were fired at enemy army. The attack lasted more than 25 minutes during which at least 2 occupying army personnel were eliminated and 5 were injured," he said. Live Events The BLA also claimed responsibility for seizing surveillance cameras in Paroom Jain and detonating a remote-controlled IED targeting a Bomb Disposal Squad in Kalat, resulting in two deaths. Also Read: 'Republic of Balochistan announced' trends on social media as Baloch leaders declare independence from Pakistan Intelligence agents executed In a separate development, the BLA claimed to have captured and executed four alleged undercover agents of Pakistani intelligence. According to Jeeyand Baloch, "Freedom fighters neutralized 4 agents of Pakistani intelligence agencies in the Galangor area of Noshki. These included Moin s/o Ghulam Mustafa, resident of Pakpattan; Huzaifa s/o Muhammad Latif, resident of Pakpattan: Imran Ali s/o Maqsood Ahmed and Irfan Ali s/o Maqsood Ahmed, resident of Raheem Yar Khan ." He added the men were first detained at a checkpoint on May 9 and later confessed to working as informants. An ongoing campaign of resistance The BLA stated these actions are part of its broader resistance against what it terms as "occupation". Additional operations took place in Sibi and Kachi, including grenade attacks on army posts and armed ambushes. "These attacks are a continuation of BLA's ongoing resistance strategy, 'Operation Herof,' against the occupying state," said the spokesperson. "Baloch Liberation Army makes it clear that such operations will continue until national liberation is achieved." The group also launched a larger offensive on May 12, involving 71 attacks across 51 locations. Rejection of Pakistan and International appeal Speaking to a wider geopolitical context, the BLA urged both India and the international community to act decisively against Pakistan. "Every talk of peace, ceasefire and brotherhood from Pakistan is merely a deception, a war tactic and a temporary ruse," the group stated. It labelled Pakistan a "breeding ground" for global terrorists and called for it to be recognised as a terrorist state. Dismissing accusations of foreign backing, Jeeyand Baloch declared, "The BLA is neither a pawn nor a silent spectator; we are a dynamic and decisive party." Mir Yar Baloch declares Independence In a dramatic development, Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch declared independence from Pakistan. Citing decades of "air bombings, enforced disappearances and genocide," he posted on X, "Baloch people across Pakistan Occupied Balochistan are up on streets and this is their national verdict that Balochistan Is Not Pakistan and world can't be a silent spectator any more." Mir Yar stated, "We have already declared our independence on 11 August 1947 when Britishers were leaving Balochistan, and the subcontinent." He also made a pointed appeal to Indian media and citizens. "Dear Indians patriot media, the youtube comrades, the intellectuals fighting to defend Bharat are suggested not to refer to Balochs as 'Pakistan's Own People'. We are not Pakistani, we are Balochistani. Pakistan's own people are the Punjabi who never faced air bombings, enforced disappearances and genocide." Mir Yar publicly supported India's call for Pakistan to vacate Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), warning, "The international community must urge Pakistan to immediately leave PoK to avoid another humiliation of surrender on its 93000 army personnel in Dhaka." He concluded by urging the world to recognise Balochistan's independence and support its fight for survival, justice, and freedom. Balochistan, despite being rich in gas, minerals, and coastline, remains one of Pakistan's most underdeveloped provinces. The Baloch people have long accused Islamabad of exploiting their land without returning any benefits. Since its controversial incorporation into Pakistan in 1948, voices demanding autonomy or secession have grown louder. Reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch cite widespread human rights abuses, including the disappearance of thousands of activists, students, and journalists. Many have been labelled as "terrorists" or "foreign agents". Mass graves discovered in several districts have only deepened public anger and suspicion of state-led violence. Today, Balochistan finds itself in open revolt. The insurgency is armed, public, and ideological. For the people on the ground, this is more than politics. It is survival.
India Today
14-05-2025
- India Today
Dhaka University student leader stabbed to death near campus gate
A Dhaka University student was stabbed to death late Tuesday night on the university campus, the Daily Star reported. Shahriar Alam Samyo, 25, was a student of the 2018-19 session at the Institute of Education and Research. He was also the Literary and Publication Secretary of the AF Rahman Hall unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra to The Daily Star, "Inspector Muhammad Faruk, in-charge of the police outpost at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said Samyo was bleeding profusely when he was brought to the hospital by his classmates around midnight. Doctors pronounced him dead.'advertisementHospital officials confirmed that Samyo was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with serious injuries. He was declared dead upon arrival. Staff said they found multiple stab wounds on his body. Local media said that hours before the attack, Samyo had shared a video on Facebook. In the video, he can be seen singing with friends at a concert held at Suhrawardy Udyan, where several well-known bands THE SITUATION ESCALATED?Reports claimed that the violence began after a minor motorcycle accident close to the Suhrawardy Udyan open stage. What began as a verbal argument quickly turned into a physical fight. During the scuffle, someone stabbed Samyo in the thigh with a sharp object. The attacker immediately left the have arrested a person in connection with the murder. Investigators are still working on the case and searching for others who may have been READ: Operation Herof 2.0: Baloch rebels launch 7 coordinated strikes in Pakistan
