Baloch separatists claim control of Zehri town in Balochistan

Reports indicate that militants have attacked the market in the town of Zehri in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan, Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, asserting that its fighters have taken full control of the town.

According to the statement, all government offices in the town have been captured, and the police headquarters was set on fire during the attack.

Jeeyand Baloch, a spokesperson for the Baloch Liberation Army, claimed that the group’s fighters now have full control over Zehri.

During the militants’ capture of the police station and other government buildings, explosions and gunfire were heard across the area.

Pakistani officials have not yet confirmed the news officially.

Earlier reports indicated that at least 60 militants had launched an assault on the town center. The attackers reportedly looted a bank, set fire to a police station, and torched an intelligence agency office.

The Baloch Liberation Army, which fights for the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan, accuses the federal government of exploiting the region’s natural resources “oppressively.” The group has carried out deadly attacks on Pakistan’s security forces, as well as employees and companies from China operating in the region, in recent months.

The escalating violence in Balochistan highlights the ongoing conflict between the Pakistani state and separatist movements in the region. As the BLA continues its fight for independence, these attacks further destabilize the region, exacerbating the security situation and straining local governance.

The international community must take note of the growing tensions in Balochistan, where ethnic and political grievances continue to fuel violent confrontations. If the violence persists, the region could face further destabilization, with severe consequences for both Pakistan and the broader South Asian security environment.