Quetta, Oct 24 (NVI) Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) caused extensive human and material damage to the Pakistani military during the 20-hour-long attack on its camp in Gwadar in Balochistan which ended last evening.
The major assault was carried out by 8 members of the ‘Saddu Operational Battalion’ (SOB), a special unit of the BLF.
SOB is named after Saddu Marri, a senior commander and one of the founding members of BLF who played an important role in establishing and strengthening the organisation.
Affectionately known among his comrades as ‘Mamo Saddu’, he sacrificed his life for the organisation at the age of 75 years during an attack by the Pakistani forces nearly 19 years back.
The initials SOB, representing Saddu Operational Battalion, also form the word “Sob” which in Balochi language means ‘success’.
Mamo Saddu belonged to the Marri tribe, traditionally regarded as one of Balochistan’s prominent tribal communities, known for its adherence to tribal customs and traditions.
He believed that the struggle for Balochistan’s freedom could not succeed through tribal traditions alone.
He emphasised to his comrades that achieving their goal required organised institutions, a structured movement, and a strong organisational foundation.
In his view, without building institutions and establishing an effective organisation, the struggle for Balochistan’s freedom could not be successful.
Guided by this conviction, he played a significant role in laying the foundations of the Balochistan Liberation Front.
Even at the age of 75 years, Mamo Saddu remained an active commander of BLF and led from the front.
According to BLF sources, he sacrificed his life during an attack by the Pakistan Army.
When the BLF camp in a mountainous area of Balochistan was surrounded by the Pakistani troops,, Mamo Saddu determined that keeping the advancing forces away was critical to let his comrades to withdraw safely.
He came up with a plan, which he knew was dangerous for his self. He told his comrades that they should move ahead and he would follow them as his age did not allow him to keep pace with them.
However, Mamo Saddu did not follow them as they left. Instead, he misled the Pakistani forces and kept them engaged. He fired at them from different positions from within the camp, giving an impression to the Pakistani forces that a number of BLF fighters were inside.
This allowed time to his comrades to escape.
But, he ultimately got killed in the clash, thus sacrificing his life to protect his fellow fighters.
It is in recognition of this courage, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice that BLF named ‘Saddu Operational Battalion’ after him.
“For the organisation’s leadership, cadres, and Sarmachars, his sacrifice represents a profound example of commitment to comrades and the willingness to place their safety above one’s own life. His name continues to symbolise the spirit of self-sacrifice and dedicaontion associated with the battalion,” says BLF spokesman Gwahram Baloch. (NVI)
