ISLAMABAD; Security forces carried out an operation in the mountainous region near Mach, Balochistan, striking six suspected hideouts of the Balochistan Liberation Army. Security officials confirmed that between 25 and 30 militants were killed in the precision strikes.
The action followed months of intensified militant activity in Balochistan, where separatist groups, including the BLA, have staged repeated attacks on security forces, government installations, and infrastructure. Earlier this year, Mach was the scene of a deadly roadside bombing in Kachhi district, which left seven soldiers dead when a military convoy was targeted.
The BLA, designated a terrorist organization by Pakistan and several other countries, remains one of the most active insurgent outfits in the province. Its operations have often targeted economic projects, security convoys, and Chinese interests in the region. In July, separatist militants escalated violence under a campaign referred to as Operation Baam, which included coordinated strikes across multiple districts of Balochistan.
Military officials said the latest air operation in Mach was aimed at dismantling militant bases in the rugged mountain terrain, which has long served as a stronghold for insurgent groups. The strikes are part of an ongoing effort to limit the capacity of separatist outfits to carry out further attacks in the province.
No details were immediately available about damage to infrastructure or potential displacement of civilians from the targeted area. Further information is expected as security forces continue assessments on the ground.
