Quetta, Aug 31 (NVI) Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS), a frontline Baloch armed resistance group, tonight claimed that it has been holding control of Zehri, the second largest town of Khuzdar district of Balochistan, for last 20 days and has killed at least 37 Pakistani soldiers, destroyed several of their vehicles and seized large quantity of weapons.
Zehri has been under the control of BRAS since August 10 when it launched 71 coordinated attacks at Pakistani military installations and personnel at multiple places across Balochistan and claimed to have killed 34 soldiers over a period of 4 days leading to Pakistan’s Independence Day.
This was stated by the spokesperson of BRAS, which is a conglomerate of various armed Baloch groups like Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Revolutionary Guards (BRG).
“BRAS fighters have maintained control over Zehri for the past 20 days and have established checkpoints on key access routes,” he said.
On August 11, BRAS fighters addressed a public gathering in Zehri after strategically positioning themselves along the main roads.
“When the occupying forces attempted to advance in a convoy of 13 vehicles, BRAS freedom fighters ambushed them in Zulfiqarabad, Gazan, using heavy and automatic weapons,” the spokesman said.
He said 8 military vehicles were targeted, resulting in the complete destruction of one truck, while two additional vehicles along with military equipment were seized.
“During the attack, some soldiers panicked and fled into nearby fields, where they were surrounded and killed. Others attempted to take shelter in local homes, using women and children as human shields, but several were killed or injured while fleeing later that night,” the spokesman said.
BRAS fighters also targeted a Pakistani army outpost in Sankuri, Gazan, with rockets and heavy automatic weapons. Troops advancing from Zalkan were forced to retreat after being attacked at Spidak.
Over two days of fighting, 37 soldiers of the occupying forces were killed, and many were injured, the spokesman said, adding the Pakistan Army resorted to attacks by helicopters, drones, and quadcopters but failed to achieve their objectives.
During raids in Zehri, three occupying force personnel were detained, and one officer of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) was arrested at a checkpoint on the Zehri–Qalat highway.
Interrogations are ongoing, after which, per the decisions of the Baloch National Court, they will either be released or sentenced, the spokesman said.
Giving details of the operation that began on August 10, he said BRAS fighters attacked a military camp in Khadkucha, Mastung, on the night of August 11.
On the same day, they set up a blockade on the main highway in Kirdgap for several hours, seized control of a levies post, and captured two vehicles.
Later, the army shelled local motorcyclists with helicopters, killing three civilians.
On August 13, BRAS fighters attacked a Pakistani forces outpost in Sami, Kech, with rockets and heavy weapons, inflicting both casualties and material losses.
On August 14, the Independence Day of Pakistan, the freedom fighters targeted military positions at Tank Garmain Kor in Mashkay, leading to an hour-long clash with army casualties.
On August 16, BRAS fighters set up a blockade near the Tarki Dam in Surab along the Quetta–Karachi highway for three hours. (NVI)
