BLA releases video of female suicide attacker from deadly Gwadar operation
Hawa Baloch was a young woman from Gen Z age group, whose father, also reportedly linked to BLA, was killed in a security operation in 2021
PTC Web Desk: The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a banned separatist outfit, has released a video purportedly showing a female suicide attacker involved in a major assault carried out across Pakistan’s Balochistan province over the weekend, one of the deadliest militant operations in recent years.
In the video, the woman, identified by the group as Hawa Baloch, is seen armed and firing at Pakistani security forces during what the BLA described as Phase Two of “Operation Herof” at the Gwadar Front. The footage, reportedly recorded during the final hours before her death, shows her speaking to the camera and interacting with fellow militants.
According to a statement released alongside the video, the BLA claimed it was Baloch’s “final message,” recorded roughly 12 hours before she was killed. The group alleged that she took part in direct combat against security personnel during coordinated attacks in the region.
Pakistani authorities have not independently verified the authenticity of the video or the claims made by the insurgent group.
Who was Hawa Baloch?
Media reports suggest that Hawa Baloch was a young woman from the Gen Z age group, whose father, also reportedly linked to the BLA, was killed in a security operation in 2021. She is said to have received formal education before joining the insurgency, highlighting what analysts describe as a growing involvement of younger and educated individuals in the long-running Baloch separatist movement.
Casualties on both sides
The Pakistan military stated that 92 separatists were killed on Saturday and 41 more on Friday during counter-operations following the attacks.
The BLA, meanwhile, acknowledged casualties within its ranks, claiming that 18 of its fighters were killed, including 11 suicide attackers from its Majeed Brigade, along with members of the Fateh Squad and STOS unit.
Background
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has witnessed a decades-long insurgency, with separatist groups accusing the central government of political marginalisation and exploitation of natural resources. The BLA is one of the most prominent militant groups operating in the region and is designated a terrorist organisation by Pakistan and several other countries.
Security operations against the group have intensified in recent years, particularly around strategic projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including Gwadar Port.