Quetta, Jan 19: The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on Pakistani security forces during a large-scale, coordinated operation carried out in Kharan district on January 15. According to the BLF, its fighters launched the operation at around 2:30 pm local time, briefly taking control of the city and targeting key security and government installations, local media reported.
In a statement, the BLF alleged that more than 50 Pakistani military personnel were killed and dozens injured during nearly nine hours of intense fighting. The group claimed that among the injured were senior officers, including Wing Commander Colonel Wadhan and Major Asim, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
The BLF stated that the operation began with the capture of the Kharan City Police Station. Fighters reportedly took police personnel hostage, seized government-issued weapons, released detainees, and damaged the police building, official records, and vehicles. Another unit allegedly entered Kharan’s main bazaar, where it attacked Meezan Bank, Bank Al Habib, the National Bank, and other government offices. The group claimed that a bank security guard was killed and two individuals linked to a local “death squad” were injured.
According to the BLF, its subsidiary Qurban Unit set up a checkpoint in the city’s Red Zone and targeted a military convoy of three vehicles, killing 15 soldiers and seizing weapons. The group further claimed that clashes in the Red Zone lasted around three hours, resulting in the destruction of two armoured vehicles and the deaths of 27 soldiers, forcing the remaining forces to retreat.
The BLF also alleged that another military convoy, including an SSG commando battalion, was attacked in the Kulan area, leading to the destruction of three vehicles and the killing of dozens of soldiers, including eight SSG commandos. The group claimed it shot down eight quadcopter drones during the operation.
The BLF said four of its fighters were killed. However, these claims sharply contradict Pakistan military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), which stated that 12 attackers were killed and security forces successfully repelled the assault.
