In a significant and unprecedented escalation of tactics, the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) has carried out a major assault on a heavily fortified Frontier Corps complex in Chagai, Balochistan. The attack, which took place on Sunday evening, marks the first time the militant group has employed a female suicide bomber, a strategic departure from its previous methods.
A New and Deadly Tactic
The BLF deployed a woman operative, identified as Zareena Rafiq, also known as Trang Mahoo, as a fidayeen (suicide) attacker. According to the group's statement, she detonated herself at the security barrier of the complex, enabling other rebel fighters to breach the main compound. The targeted site housed a project center for copper and gold mining operations, which are part of the Saindak and Reko Diq projects managed by Chinese companies and a Canadian firm.
While Pakistani authorities have not officially commented, reports indicate that six Pakistani security personnel were killed in the assault. The use of a suicide bomber is a tactic previously exclusive to the Majeed Brigade of the rival Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), known for operations like the Jaffar Express hijack. This move signals a potential shift in the BLF's strategy towards targeting high-value assets with geopolitical significance, particularly those linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative in the region.
Coordinated Wave of Violence
The attack in Chagai was part of a broader wave of coordinated strikes across Balochistan claimed by Baloch separatist groups between November 28 and 29. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) released a separate statement claiming responsibility for 29 attacks during this period, asserting that they resulted in the deaths of 27 Pakistani army personnel.
The BLA detailed several other operations, including:
- An assault on a Pakistani Coast Guard camp in the Pasni area of Gwadar using multiple grenade launchers.
- A remote-controlled IED attack targeting military intelligence personnel in Jiwani, Gwadar.
- An attack on the residence of a Pakistani army major in Mastung city.
- Six blasts at defence installations in Quetta, followed by an attack on state forces and bomb disposal squads responding to the scene.
The BLA also claimed to have taken control of motorways and seized weapons during these operations.
Strategic Implications and Group Dynamics
In a statement on Telegram, BLF spokesperson Gwahram Baloch stated that the fidayeen operation was executed by its newly formed 'self-sacrifice' unit, the Saddo Operational Battalion (SOB). The battalion is named after Martyred Commander Waja Sado, also known as Sadath Marri. This formalization of a suicide wing within the BLF represents a major evolution in its operational capabilities and poses a new challenge for Pakistani security forces.
The deliberate targeting of a facility associated with Chinese mining interests underscores the rebels' expanding strategy. They are now focusing on international projects perceived as exploiting Balochistan's resources, thereby adding a complex geopolitical dimension to the long-standing insurgency. The attack highlights the persistent and growing security threats in the resource-rich province, despite sustained military operations by the state.
