Balochistan, 14 September (H.S.): The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) have separately claimed responsibility for a series of operations in Lasbela, Jiwani, Mashkel and Kachhi districts of Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

The claims include an attack on a convoy of Pakistani security forces, the alleged killing of four people, damage to equipment at a lithium exploration site and road blockades in several areas.

According to The Balochistan Post, an online news network based in Balochistan, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement issued on Sunday that the group’s so-called Fateh Squad targeted a convoy of the Pakistan Army’s 15 Frontier Force Bomb Disposal Party in the Wallapat area of Lasbela on Saturday morning.

The BLA claimed that the attack began with an improvised explosive device (IED) blast, followed by gunfire. The group claimed that two military vehicles were completely destroyed and two others sustained heavy damage. It also claimed that nine soldiers were killed and more than 11 others were wounded.

Pakistani officials, however, gave a different account, saying that four security personnel were killed and seven others were wounded in the attack. According to the officials, one civilian was also among those injured.

The BLA also claimed responsibility for what it described as an intelligence-based operation in Jiwani, in which four people were allegedly killed. The organisation alleged that the individuals were associated with the Pakistan Army and Military Intelligence.

The BLA identified the alleged victims as Ghulam Mustafa, Sanam Masih, Kanwal Shahzad and Danish Iqbal, claiming that they were involved in intelligence activities while working with the National Logistics Corporation (NLC). These allegations have not been independently verified.

In another development, the BLA claimed that its members targeted a lithium exploration site in Mashkel. According to the organisation, four drilling machines and five vehicles at the site were set on fire.

The BLA said workers at the site were detained and later released after being issued a warning. The organisation reiterated its opposition to lithium exploration and mining projects in Balochistan and warned both local and foreign companies against participating in such projects.

Meanwhile, BRG spokesperson Dostain Baloch claimed that members of the organisation blocked roads and conducted sudden checking operations at several locations in Kachhi district on Sunday.

According to the BRG, vehicles were searched at several points and its members carried out patrols in the area. The organisation claimed that its members did not encounter any government personnel during the operation.

Both the BLA and BRG said they would continue such operations until their stated objective of independence for Balochistan is achieved.

As of the time of publication, Pakistani authorities had not issued an immediate response to all the claims made by the BLA and BRG.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar