New details have come to light regarding a fierce military encounter that took place last month in the restive Balochistan province of Pakistan. The clash erupted on October 30 in the Rinj area of Kalat between Pakistani security forces and fighters belonging to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Roughly 12 days after the incident, the armed group has issued a detailed statement shedding light on the sequence of events and the casualties sustained during the operation.
Encounter Erupts Over RCD Highway Blockade
According to the statement released by BLA spokesperson Azad Baloch, the confrontation unfolded near the RCD highway in Kalat's Rinj locality. The group stated that its fighters were patrolling the region to safeguard local residents and had established a blockade along the highway. During this deployment, the Pakistani military dispatched Frontier Corps personnel in three vehicles with the objective of dismantling the blockade. Both sides exchanged heavy gunfire starting at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon.
Ambush Tactics and Heavy Vehicle Damage Reported
The armed outfit claimed that its fighters maintained defensive positions and engaged the security forces effectively, resulting in the deaths of 20 military personnel alongside four of its own members. Furthermore, the group asserted that its fighters ambushed two additional Frontier Corps vehicles that were approaching the site later, inflicting substantial damage. Citing accounts from local residents, the statement noted that the incapacitated vehicles were subsequently hauled away to a military cantonment using a crane.
Identities of Four Fallen Fighters Shared
The organization publicly released the names and backgrounds of the four members who lost their lives in the exchange. They were identified as Zinatullah alias Baba Baloch from Kalat's Manguchar area, Suleiman alias Rafiq Baloch from Nushki, Sher Ahmed alias Malik Baloch who joined from Mastung's Kad Kocha region, and Noman alias Shayhak Baloch, also from Manguchar in Kalat. The group stated that these individuals fought until their final ammunition was spent, choosing death over surrender in alignment with their principles.
Warning Issued to Pakistani Military Forces
Taking responsibility for the engagement, the group reiterated its demand for the Pakistani military to completely withdraw from the region. The organization alleged that the military routinely conceals its true casualty numbers from the public and the media. It issued a stark warning that continued interference with local movements, civilian harassment, and the refusal to evacuate the territory would invite even larger attacks in the future, as the group remains committed to its armed campaign for independence.
