Quetta, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Baloch rebel organization Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has asserted that its ongoing offensive, known as Operation Herof Phase II, has been active for over 40 hours across various districts in Balochistan. The group claims significant casualties among Pakistani security forces and asserts dominance over numerous urban and rural regions.

Through a series of releases via its official platform, Hakkal, the BLA indicated that the operation has broadened to encompass a vast geographical area of the province.

In support of its assertions, the group shared a video recorded during confrontations in Gwadar, featuring a female 'fidayeen' fighter who was reportedly killed during the assaults against Pakistani forces, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

The female was identified as Hawa Baloch, also referred to by her alias Droshum. The footage was described as her “final message, delivered twelve hours prior to her martyrdom.”

Sources cited by The Balochistan Post reported that Hawa Baloch was a writer and that her father had previously been involved with the Baloch armed movement before being killed in combat years earlier.

In her video message, Hawa Baloch urged Baloch women to join what she termed “the armed resistance.”

She claimed that the Pakistani state has “oppressed Baloch women as well as men,” arguing that women in Baloch society are “neither intellectually nor practically weak.” According to her, the moment has arrived for women to “rise and seek justice.”

The BLA also identified another female fidayeen, Asifa Mengal, aged 23. The group stated that she executed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) operation targeting the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters in Noshki on January 31.

Additionally, the group released another video featuring fidayeen Nako Fazal Baloch, whom they described as the “eldest Baloch fidayee of the Baloch Liberation Army,” emphasizing his participation in the ongoing campaign.

BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch issued two detailed statements claiming their fighters had concluded operations in areas such as Kharan, Mastung, Tump, and Pasni, while asserting that fighting continues in other locations.

The statements further claimed that BLA fighters were active in parts of Quetta and Noshki, where they alleged that Islamabad's military presence had been “repelled.”

According to the BLA's assertions, over 200 personnel from the Pakistan Army, police, and Frontier Corps were killed during the offensive, with at least 17 individuals taken captive.

The group described these figures as “preliminary and cautious estimates,” believing the actual losses suffered by security forces to be even greater.

In a related incident, the BLA reported the detention of Deputy Commissioner of Noshki, Muhammad Hussain Hazara, and Assistant Commissioner Maria Shamoo, who were later released.

The group characterized their release as a “humanitarian gesture,” claiming they do not consider local civil authorities and police as direct adversaries unless they actively oppose their fighters.

However, they warned that local officials and police personnel who “aid the occupying army” would be treated as hostile targets.

The BLA also acknowledged losses within its ranks, stating that 18 of its fighters were killed during the operation.

The deceased included 11 fidayeen from the Majeed Brigade, four fighters from the Fateh Squad, and three belonging to the STOS unit.