Operation Herof Image: BLA Social Media
In a recent video released by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a female suicide bomber was allegedly seen opening fire on Pakistani security personnel on the Gwadar Front during the insurgent group’s Operation Hereof.
“During the second phase of Operation Hereof, on the Gwadar Front, fidayeen Hawa Baloch fought selflessly shoulder to shoulder with fellow fidayeens. This was his last message sent twelve hours before his death,” BLA said in a social media post accompanying the video.
‘Pakistan Army is not coming forward “out of fear”‘
This video, shot during the operation, was of the last few hours before the suicide bomber named Hawa Baloch faced the Pakistani Army. In the video, Baloch can be heard saying, “Baloch community, today one of your sisters is facing the Punjabi Army. Now you people should come forward with courage. We have no other option left.”
The woman, dressed in a red and blue kurta and a baseball cap, also claimed that the Pakistani Army was not coming forward “out of fear”.
She said, “Pakistan is not coming forward out of fear. Pakistan cannot face us. Today is a day of joy. Today we are facing the enemy. Today we will show the enemy that Baloch mothers and sisters were not and will not be left alone.”
‘Today you will face Baloch women freedom fighters’
When a fellow attacker, addressing her by her call sign “Droshum”, asked, “How’s the war?”, the woman was heard saying, “The war is fun.” Baloch was also heard saying that the Pakistani Army was “cowardly” and was not coming forward. She said, “They are just firing from a distance, and they don’t have the courage to come forward. Come, come, today we are waiting for you. Today you will face Baloch women freedom fighters. Today you will know how difficult it is to face Baloch women.”
He was also heard saying, “Today there is mourning in the enemy lines; everywhere there are sounds of crying and mourning. They only show their strength on our downtrodden mothers and sisters. They cannot confront us directly. It is beyond their capacity.” Calling on his fellow Baloch people to stand up against Pakistan, he said, “The Baloch nation has to wake up. We have to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Baloch leaders. The days of the enemy are numbered; they do not have that much strength. The Baloch nation must understand that there can be no compromise with the enemy. Look, today our fighters are sacrificing their lives. Blowing themselves to pieces, yet some people are fighting for a few pennies Let’s spy for them.”
What is Operation Hereof?
Operation Hereof Phase II is a coordinated attack launched by the BLA at multiple locations in Balochistan. The new video shows women’s participation in BLA operations.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is an armed separatist organization operating in the Balochistan region of Pakistan that seeks independence for their province, which they allege has suffered years of marginalization, economic exploitation, and human rights violations. The BLA conducts guerrilla-style attacks such as bombings, targeted killings and sabotage against Pakistani security forces.
Also read: Has Pakistan threatened to boycott as part of planning? This is how the tables will turn