Quetta, Pakistan – Baloch insurgent groups have claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Pakistani military, alleging that at least 20 soldiers were killed in a series of coordinated attacks across Balochistan. These claims come amidst a significant escalation of violence in the resource-rich province, marked by a new offensive launched by separatist organizations.

While Baloch rebel sources and affiliated media have reported the death of 20 soldiers in a short span of approximately 12 hours, these figures have not been independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation from the Pakistani military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The Pakistani military typically contests the high casualty figures released by the insurgents.

The recent surge in violence is linked to “Operation Baam (Dawn),” a large-scale offensive announced by the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). In a statement, the BLF declared this operation a “new chapter” in their struggle, involving dozens of synchronized attacks on military checkpoints, government installations, and communication infrastructure across several districts, including Panjgur, Kech, and Kharan.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), another prominent insurgent group, has also been active, frequently claiming responsibility for attacks on security convoys and personnel.

The nature of these attacks has been diverse, ranging from ambushes on military patrols and convoys to targeted killings. In a recent verified incident, gunmen intercepted passenger buses and killed nine individuals identified as being from Punjab province, an act condemned by Pakistani officials as terrorism.

In response to the escalating insurgency, Pakistani security forces have been conducting intelligence-based operations (IBOs) throughout the region. The ISPR recently confirmed a clash in the Awaran district where a Pakistan Army Major and three militants were killed.

The conflict in Balochistan is a long-running insurgency where separatist groups demand greater autonomy and control over the province’s vast natural resources. Both sides frequently release conflicting reports and casualty figures, making independent verification of events on the ground challenging. The latest claims by Baloch rebels, however, point to a renewed and intensified phase of the conflict, posing a significant security challenge to the Pakistani state.