Have BLA Fighters Truly Taken Control of Surab City in Balochistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BLA claims full control of Surab city.
- Military and administrative functions disrupted.
- Checkpoint establishment on major highways.
- Continued struggle for Baloch independence.
- International awareness urged regarding Pakistan's role in terrorism.
Quetta, May 31 (NationPress) The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) freedom fighters asserted on Saturday that they have seized total control of Surab city in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. This maneuver has reportedly incapacitated all military, administrative, and financial frameworks of the so-called 'enemy state', coinciding with the visit of the Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir to the provincial capital Quetta.
In a statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch confirmed that the offensive lasted over three hours on Friday. During this time, the freedom fighters established positions at critical sites and highways throughout the city.
The fighters allegedly took control of the Pakistani Levies (a paramilitary force), the police station, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office, a guest house, and a bank, while also damaging 'enemy' infrastructure.
According to the BLA's statement, during the operation, freedom fighters apprehended Levies and police personnel, confiscating 30 Kalashnikovs and other military equipment from the security establishments. The detained personnel were later released under conditions related to their Baloch identity. The fighters reportedly set fire to three enemy vehicles, state warehouses, a guest house, and three banks, while also seizing two vehicles.
The statement added that during the incursion into the DC office, Assistant Deputy Commissioner Hidayatullah Buledi tried to confront the fighters. They subdued him without causing injury, but he subsequently died from suffocation in a locked room, which was described as an accident.
Moreover, the BLA declared that they have established checkpoints on the Quetta-Karachi and Surab-Gidar main highways, tightening restrictions on state movement through spot checks. This operation exemplifies the BLA's commitment to dismantling every institution, symbol, and force of the occupying Pakistani state. The BLA reiterated that their struggle will persist until Baloch national liberation is realized.
The people of Balochistan continue to fight for independence from Pakistan. Various human rights organizations have frequently raised concerns regarding the repression of Baloch citizens by Pakistani forces, including violent raids on homes, unlawful detentions, enforced disappearances, and the 'kill and dump' policy.
Earlier this month, the BLA issued a statement titled 'A New Order has Become Inevitable in the Region', urging global recognition of Pakistan as a source of terrorism. The statement accused Pakistan of being a breeding ground for global terrorism, fostering groups like LeT, JeM, and ISIS. It claimed that the ISI promotes these groups for terrorism, labeling Pakistan as a nuclear state with a violent ideology. The BLA asserted that the Baloch nation, without external support, has been able to challenge one of the world's largest nuclear powers, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved without the dismantling of Pakistan.