Operation Herof 2.0: BLA says 280 Pakistani personnel killed, claims seizure of key positions

A man stands beside burnt vehicles inside a torched police station on the outskirts of Quetta on February 1, 2026 a day after an attack by Baloch separatists. (Photo by Banaras KHAN / AFP)

The Baloch Liberation Army claims to have killed 280 Pakistani security personnel and seized key positions in Balochistan during Operation Herof Phase II, amid rising violence and instability in the region. The group also reported 35 of its own fighters killed.

Did our AI summary help?

The Baloch Liberation Army on Tuesday claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on Pakistani security forces during Operation Herof Phase II, alleging that at least 280 personnel were killed and that state forces were retreating under sustained pressure across parts of Balochistan.

In a statement, the group said the casualties included personnel from the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, police, Counter Terrorism Department and what it described as army backed death squads. The BLA also claimed it had seized key positions in Nushki district, signalling what it called a significant battlefield setback for Pakistani forces.

“These figures are not final, and given the evolving ground realities, further increases in the enemy’s human and material losses are expected. Complete and verified details of the enemy’s losses will be released to the media at an appropriate time after consolidation,” the statement said.

Claims of coordinated attacks across Balochistan

The BLA said the second phase of Operation Herof involved coordinated attacks at 48 locations across 14 cities in Balochistan, with militants maintaining control for nearly ten hours. The term “Herof”, meaning “black storm” in Balochi, was first used by the group in August 2024.

According to the statement, Pakistani forces were “under heavy pressure” and reportedly retreating from multiple positions as the operation unfolded.

BLA acknowledges its own losses

The group also disclosed casualties on its side, saying 35 fighters were killed during the operation. These included 18 suicide attackers from the Majeed Brigade, 10 members of the Fateh Squad and seven fighters from the STOS unit.

“Detailed and final information regarding the martyrs will be formally released later,” the BLA said.

Accusations of targeting civilians

The BLA accused Pakistani forces of attempting to conceal military setbacks by targeting civilians in Balochistan using drones and helicopters, claiming these actions led to multiple civilian casualties.

“These actions are a clear reflection of the enemy’s moral, military, and political bankruptcy,” the statement said.

Violence continues to surge

Independent data points to a worsening security situation in the region. Fatalities linked to violence in Balochistan rose from 787 to 956 in 2025, an increase of nearly 22 percent, according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies.

Across Pakistan, terror attacks increased by 34 percent last year, with 699 incidents recorded nationwide, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies.

The BLA’s claims, combined with rising casualty figures, underscore the deepening instability in Balochistan and highlight the growing challenge facing Pakistan’s security establishment in containing the insurgency.