Pakistan launches air strikes in Noshki and Kalat areas

NEW DELHI: The social media in Balochistan is buzzing with activity about a renewed military operation by the Pakistani military in the mountain areas of Noshki and Kalat. This follows the deaths of a number of Pakistani soldiers in two major attacks by Baloch rebel groups in the past few days.

Pakistani military helicopters were seen hovering over Noshki and Kalat all through the day on Monday. Social media reports said the activity was intense though there were no casualties. Due to a strict media blackout in Balochistan, information is trickling only through locals. Also, the Pakistani military has not shared any information on the operation. Baloch journalists said Pakistan could be retaliating over the large number of casualties of soldiers in attacks by different rebel groups — the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) on June 2 and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on May 31. Helicopter gunships too were spotted by locals.

Eight Pakistani soldiers were killed and many injured after BLF rebels blew up a military truck with a remote-controlled device in Kech district of Balochistan on June 2. BLF spokesman Major Gwahram Baloch said they completely destroyed a Mazda truck of the Army.

In another big incident a couple of days earlier, rebels from another outfit, the BLA, launched an attack on an Army camp in Bilor area of Kolwah in Awaran District on May 31. A press release by Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson for the BLA said: "In the heavy attack that continued for more than 30 minutes, Pakistani military suffered heavy losses. The defeated enemy indiscriminately fired mortars at civilian houses. However, BLA fighters safely withdrew from the area after the successful operation".

Besides these two attacks there have been a series of almost daily attacks on Pakistani security forces. Another Twitter account put the number of Pakistani casualties at 14. The Baloch armed groups have blown up a number of communication towers in the past week as they believe that Pakistani forces spy on the Baloch people and the nationalist outfits. (IANS)

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