Surab, Balochistan: In a dramatic escalation of the separatist insurgency in Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has reportedly seized full control of the strategic city of Surab. The development marks a severe challenge to Islamabad’s authority in the restive region.
According to videos circulated by The Balochistan Post, thick plumes of black smoke and flames were seen engulfing multiple sites across the city, as government buildings, police stations, and key infrastructure were set ablaze.
The BLA claimed in a statement that it had taken over Levies and police stations, major banks, and several administrative offices. Commanders of the group reported intense armed confrontations, during which they allege to have repelled Pakistani military and police forces, killed a Station House Officer (SHO), and seized weapons from security personnel.
The surprise offensive is being viewed as a major embarrassment for Pakistan’s military establishment, particularly targeting the leadership of Army Chief General Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, amid ongoing unrest and instability in the province.
The situation in Surab remains tense, with no official response from Pakistan’s armed forces at the time of reporting. The takeover underscores growing concerns over Islamabad’s diminishing control in certain regions of Balochistan and highlights the BLA’s increasing operational reach.
