Quetta: After capturing a Pakistani Lt Colonel and awarding him ‘death sentence’, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said today that such operations against the Pakistani military would be scaled up as the ‘Baloch nation’ is determined to “achieve freedom at all costs”.
The outfit, which is at the forefront of fight for Independence of Balochistan from Pakistan, rubbished claims by the Pakistani military that it had killed “freedom fighters” of BLA involved in the capture of Lt Colonel Laeeq Baig Mirza on July 12.
Without mentioning the Pakistani practice of suppressing news of its military fatalities, BLA asserted that the outfit does not believe in hiding its casualties but takes “utmost pride” in the martyrdom of comrades in the struggle.
“Pakistani military’s claims of killing freedom fighters of Baloch Liberation Army during its so-called search operation around Ziarat and Harnai areas are merely propaganda tactics to hide its catastrophic failures in Balochistan,” the outfit’s spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.
“After executing the special operation in Ziarat, freedom fighters of BLA’s Special Tactical Operations Squad successfully reached their desired destinations,” he said, referring to the capture of Lt Colonel Laeeq, believed to be the head of Pakistan’s Military Intelligence in Balochistan.
“In the whole operation not even a single fighter of BLA was injured or killed,” Baloch emphasised.
Also read: Baloch rebels capture Pakistan Lt Colonel, award him ‘death sentence’
“Despite deploying dozens of choppers, drones and thousands of its special forces, the Pakistani military was not able to contend Baloch Liberation Army at any fronts,” the spokesman said.
“BLA’s operation was a complete success from the beginning to the end,” the spokesman said.
Baloch said the killed persons, whom the Pakistani military is portraying as BLA fighters, may be the men forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani intelligence agencies.
He said the Pakistani military is deceiving its people and hiding its “colossal failures”.
“If any of our freedom fighters had lost their lives in this successful operation, we would have taken pride in making it public and paying rich tributes to them,” the BLA spokesman said.
“Baloch Liberation Army takes utmost pride in its struggle and the martyrdom of our comrades during this struggle. BLA announces all martyrdoms of its members with great glory and honour,” he added.
The spokesman said Lt. Colonel Laeeq’s “arrest and trial in Baloch national court has once again demonstrated the professionalism, and strategic and operational capabilities of Baloch Liberation Army.”
Two days back, the BLA said it had captured Lt Colonel Laeeq of the occupying Pakistan Army and that he has been “awarded death sentence” by ‘Baloch National Court’ for being directly involved in Baloch genocide and human rights violations.
“Our such operations will further escalate in coming days,” the BLA spokesman said in the statement today.
Also read: Balochistan: Endless wait for kin of victims of ‘enforced disappearances’
“Through this statement, BLA would like to tell the people of Punjab that stop your sons from being the consumables in the war of few greedy egoistic generals.
“Balochistan belongs to Baloch nation and it is their motherland.
“Therefore, Baloch nation will achieve its freedom at all costs and the Pakistani state and its Army are destined for a dreadful defeat in Balochistan.
“Now its on the people of Punjab whether they choose to receive body bags of their sons on daily basis or they will force their military to peacefully withdraw from Balochistan.”