In a huge embarrassment for Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed control of Surab city of Balochistan as he was delivering a speech in the provincial capital of Quetta.
Munir, while addressing the Command and Staff College, said he was in favour of a peaceful resolution to the “Kashmir issue” and condemned what he called India’s “unlawful and legally untenable hydro-terrorism”, in reference to the decision by New Delhi to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
“While reiterating the resolve to defeat any aggression and ability to deal with threats across the entire conflict spectrum, the COAS asserted that Pakistan will never be coerced and inimical designs to distract Pakistan’s efforts against war on terrorism will be comprehensively defeated. For strategic stability of South Asia, the COAS emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of longstanding internationally recognized Kashmir dispute, and warned against the unlawful and legally untenable ‘hydro terrorism’ by India,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, said in a statement Friday (May 30).
BLA claims control of Surab city
While Munir spoke, the Baloch Liberation Group, a banned separatist group in Pakistan, announced that it had taken control of Surab city in Balochistan.
The group, which has increased its activities recently, made this announcement to coincide with the field marshal’s visit, likely aiming to challenge the military’s claim of control in the restive province.
At the same time, Munir expressed confidence that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism would continue until it is completely successful, ensuring victory over all forms of extremism.
Operation Herof
The BLA is continuing its ‘Operation Herof’ against the Pakistani regime, launched in August 2024.
Analysts consider the operation as the largest and most coordinated armed campaign as part of the Baloch self-determination movement.
Even during the recent Indo-Pak conflict, the BLA claimed it conducted 71 attacks against the Pakistani regime at 51 locations.
In addition to Pakistani rule in Balochistan, the BLA has also opposed Chinese presence in the region. The group has mounted attacks against the Chinese as well, in the province.