MASTUNG: The Spokesperson for Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale “Operation Kardigap,” carried out on April 6 along the Quetta-Taftan Highway, involving blockades, armed clashes and destruction of military assets.
In a statement issued by BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch, the group said that its fighters, referred to as “Sarmachars,” launched coordinated attacks at around 7 AM, blocking the highway at four strategic locations as part of a broader strategy to disrupt movement and assert control over key routes in Balochistan.
According to the statement, BLF divided its fighters into four specialized units for the operation.
The group claimed that the first unit attacked and took control of a police station in Kardigap, disarming personnel and taking them into custody. However, it stated that all detained personnel were later released on humanitarian grounds after a warning, while a blockade was established at Kardigap Cross.
The second unit reportedly blocked the highway near Killi Shahnawaz, where, according to BLF, a convoy of more than 15 Pakistani forces vehicles attempted to advance. The group said that the convoy carried out mortar shelling, prompting a counterattack by BLF fighters from fortified positions, forcing the convoy to retreat.
Meanwhile, the third and fourth units were said to have set up ambush positions in Panjpai, within Quetta’s limits, in an effort to block reinforcements. The statement claimed that these effectively halted ground support from the city for several hours.
The BLF further said that Pakistani Army Special Services Group (SSG) personnel, traveling in civilian vehicles, attempted to break the blockade at Kardigap. According to the group, one vehicle was targeted and destroyed, killing five personnel, including individuals identified as Binyamin, Naik Farzand Ali, sepoy Babar Ali and sepoy Abu Bakar. Two other vehicles reportedly fled the scene.
At around 10 AM, the BLF claimed that another convoy of more than 20 vehicles approaching from Nushki engaged in a clash at Kardigap Cross. The group said that three vehicles were destroyed using heavy weapons and that multiple personnel were killed, including one identified as Muhammad Muzammil. It further claimed that the convoy retreated, leaving behind casualties.
The statement also asserted that drones, helicopters and quadcopters were deployed during the operation and claimed that BLF fighters shot down three quadcopters.
According to the group, the highway blockade was lifted at noon as part of a pre-planned strategy, although fighters reportedly maintained positions along the route until evening.
The BLF also confirmed the death of one of its fighters, identified as Akhlaq Ahmed Mengal, also known as Nazeer, a resident of Wadh in Khuzdar. The group described him as a commander and poet who had been active in Wadh, Bolan, Mastung and Kalat, and stated that he was leading a patrol unit at the time of his death.
In its statement, the BLF described the operation as part of its ongoing campaign for what it called the “liberation of Balochistan,” and vowed to continue such actions.
