In a significant escalation, Baloch fighters took control of Surab city in Pakistan’s Balochistan province after fierce clashes with security forces. Visuals and videos accessed by ABP News show that the fighters not only seized control of the city but also vandalised and later set fire to the police station in Surab.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack and takeover. In an official statement, the group said, “Baloch Liberation Army’s freedom fighters have taken full control of Surab city. Fighters have seized key government institutions, including the bank, Levies station, and police station.”
The BLA further claimed that its fighters are also patrolling the strategically significant Quetta–Karachi and Surab–Gidar highways, which they assert are now under their control.
Pakistan Army Yet To Confirm Surab’s Capture
So far, there has been no official response from the Pakistan Army or the federal government. However, Surab, which the Baloch fighters claim to have captured, holds strategic importance and is located just 150 kilometres from the provincial capital, Quetta.
The complete capture of an entire city by an insurgent group raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Pakistan’s security and intelligence apparatus. Surab is situated in the Kalat Division of Balochistan province and, according to 2023 estimates, has a population between 35,000 and 45,000.
