Operation Herof: The changing landscape of Baloch resistance

Jewani, unique for its peaceful and dove-colored evenings, from where unfolded a black storm on the evening of August 25th that engulfed Balochistan from Makuran to Koh-e-Sulieman. BLA declared the storm as Operation Herof.

The same evening, in the tehsil Jewani of district Gwadar- the coastal city of Balochistan and the center of China and Pakistan’s economic corridor, armed persons emerging on vehicles seized control of the Ghubd cross and blocked the road for several hours. Simultaneously they captured and confiscated all the weapons and other equipment of the nearby police station. This was just the beginning of BLA’s large-scale operation Herof, expanded to the entire Balochistan.

In Operation Herof, BLA took control of all major highways connecting Balochistan, targeted military installations and economic structures. Several structures including important bridges, railway tracks, and the Sui gas pipeline were blown away by Herof (black storm). Police stations of Kalat, Manguchar, Nushki, and Jewani were captured and turned into ashes after the confiscation of police and levies weapons by fighters. Trucks carrying minerals were torched in Kalat, Jewani, and Koh-e-Sulieman.

Bela, the least affected district of Balochistan for two decades by the 5th insurgency, turned into the most affected district on the night of August 25 at 10 pm, as the Fidayeen of BLA’s Majeed brigade struck the Army camp in Bela where the lethal battle continues for at least 20 hours.

Mahal Baloch also participated in the attack, as the third female Fedayeen in the history of the Majeed brigade following Shari Baloch, the first female suicide attacker of the brigade’s history, who targeted the staff of the Chinese Confucius Institute at Karachi University, and Sumaiya Baloch the second female self-sacrificed, attacked a brigadier of Pakistan’s army in Turbat.

The attack continued for the entire night of August 26. While Pakistan’s army, the government of Balochistan, and independent sources shared varying data about the number of casualties, on the other hand, BLA claimed to neutralize more than 130 military personnel.

In the constant fear of being exposed, the establishment of Pakistan does not allow international media houses to cover Balochistan, and the local journalists are forced to present the state narrative. The independent investigations and coverage are narrowed due to the limited access.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the most active and innovative military organization fighting for the complete sovereignty of Balochistan. Following the withdrawal of the Soviet Union and the civil war in Afghanistan, Prominent Baloch national leader Nawab Khair Baksh Marri ended his exile in Afghanistan and returned to Balochistan with thousands of comrades. In 1993, alongside ideological friends and youth, he founded a study circle named “Haqtawar” (Voice of Truth) at his residence on Arbab Karam Khan Road in Quetta. BLA originated from the same study circle.

In the first year of the twenty-first century, it was a cold, usual day in the capital city of Balochistan Quetta. A cracker blast was heard in the vicinity of the Islamia school. There were no reports of casualties as the explosion occurred in an uninhabited place, the next day, people came to learn about the Baloch Liberation Army as the organization claimed the attack in local newspapers.

Aslam Dehwar, popularly known as Ustad General Aslam Baloch, was a member of Nawab Khair Baksh Marri’s study circle (Haqtawar). In 2008, during a discussion with senior friends, he proposed the establishment of a separate brigade specifically dedicated to Fidayee (suicide attacks).

On the evening of March 17, 2010, the Pakistan Army encircled the fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the area of Golimaar Chowk Quetta. In the ensuing battle, Majeed Langove took over the position and successfully facilitated the escape of four fellow fighters. However, he was killed in the fight. On the following day, Ustad Aslam Baloch announced the suicide brigade of BLA as Majeed Brigade, which was named in honor of Majeed Langove.

In the Fidayee attack, in 1974 on Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Quetta, the slain attacker was identified as Majeed Langove. A few months later, a child born in the same Langove household was named Majeed in memory of the late Majeed Langove. The child grows into a formidable warrior, leaving behind indelible tales of courage and bravery. Today’s world remembers them as Majeed the First and Majeed the Second. One of their brothers, Ameer Baksh Langove, was killed in 2010, and the commander(he) was honored by BLA with the title of ‘Sagar Baloch’.

In the history of national freedom movements, numerous battles have significantly altered the course of armed struggles. In Balochistan, Operation Herof was a series of coordinated attacks, that has the potential to reshape, modernize, and introduce new perspectives in the Baloch Liberation movement.

Baloch insurgency has been based on classical guerrilla tactics for two decades. However, in recent years there have been observable modern changes in the shape of suicide attacks and complex operations, which indicates, keeping the regional scenarios in mind, Baloch armed organizations are expanding their strengths and holds.

Within the span of six years, Baloch armed groups have executed innovative operations that are unprecedented in the history of the Baloch national movement. Analysts contend that this development has been facilitated by the transfer of organizational leadership within the BLA to a new generation of youth who possess a keen understanding of the movement’s necessities.

Recent decisions in the Baloch movement have prompted organizations affiliated with it to embrace modernizations, while simultaneously escalating challenges for Pakistan. Despite two decades of repression, Pakistan has been unsuccessful in curtailing the Baloch movement. The clear support for the Baloch movement from the Baloch nation indicates that it is impossible to extinguish the movement through oppression.

Experts observing the Baloch movement believe that a few years back, there could be a possibility to achieve a temporary cessation through negotiations and dialogue. However, since the leadership of the Baloch movement has transitioned to the youth, those avenues have now been irrevocably closed.

Over the past two decades, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has evolved significantly, progressing from small-scale cracker blasts to high-profile suicide attacks and large-scale operations like “Operation Herof.” Through strategic organizational changes and policies adapted to contemporary challenges, the BLA has considerably escalated the intensity of its operations.

Balochistan Liberation Army has continuously refined its approach, introducing greater sophistication and coordination in its complex attacks. Notably, the inclusion of female suicide bombers in the Majeed Brigade has not only shattered traditional gender norms within the Baloch insurgency but has also compounded Pakistan’s security challenges.

At present, the Baloch national movement stands at a decisive crossroads. The conflict between the two sides appears to be reaching a point where only a clear victory or defeat will bring resolution; all other possibilities for negotiation or compromise seem to have been exhausted.

The strategies employed by the armed factions fighting for Baloch independence indicate that “Operation Herof” is merely the beginning. The trajectory suggests that even more significant confrontations are likely to unfold in the future.