Operation Herof Phase II has been ongoing for over 35 hours in Balochistan, with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claiming to maintain control in several
districts, including Shaal and Noshki. According to a statement issued by Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), on February 1, fighters are maintaining positions in multiple areas and repelling military and administrative presence. As stated by Jeeyand Baloch, the operation remained active in several districts, including Shaal and Noshki, where BLA fighters were said to be exerting pressure on Pakistani security forces and local administration. He claimed that fighters were still present in various locations and that Pakistani forces were facing what he described as decisive pressure, news agency ANI reported.
Some officials freed on humanitarian grounds
The BLA spokesperson further said that Deputy Commissioner Noshki Muhammad Hussain Hazara and Assistant Commissioner Maria Shamoo, who were earlier arrested by BLA fighters, had been released. According to the statement, the officials were freed on humanitarian grounds, with the BLA reiterating that it does not consider police, Levies, or local civil administration as direct adversaries if they do not resist its fighters.
Jeeyand Baloch said the release of the two officials was in line with the group's stated policy, adding that local officials who do not obstruct fighters would not be harmed. He warned, however, that personnel who side with Pakistani security forces or attempt to block BLA operations would be treated as adversaries.
The statement claimed that more than 150 personnel from the Pakistani army, Frontier Corps, and police had been "neutralised" during the ongoing phase of the operation, and that military and administrative infrastructure had suffered significant damage. He asserted that Pakistani forces had failed to regain control in several areas, including parts of Quetta, while acknowledging that the figures cited were preliminary.
According to the spokesperson, Operation Herof 2.0 was still underway, and the Baloch population was urged to remain cautious and continue cooperating. He said further details would be released after what he described as complete information had been gathered.
(With agency inputs)
