QUETTA – In a massive escalation of regional conflict, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched a series of synchronized strikes across Pakistan’s southwestern province on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Dubbed “Operation Herof Phase 2,” the offensive targeted 12 strategic locations, including the provincial capital, Quetta. Reports indicate that at least 10 security officials were martyred while approximately 58 insurgents were killed during the intense gunbattles.
The situation in Quetta remains critical. Heavy gunfire and explosions erupted near the Khaliq Shaheed police station and along Saryab Road. Consequently, the provincial government has declared a high-level emergency in all city hospitals.
🚨🔴Baloch Liberation Army militants have entered two major Pakistani army camps in Nushki. Intense attacks are also ongoing on ISI offices. Several FC and police checkpoints have been seized.
📍Quetta city faces a deteriorating law-and-order situation; the public is worried. pic.twitter.com/r3ZaN1YzJu
— THE UNKNOWN MAN (@Theunk5555) January 31, 2026
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the forces repelled multiple assaults. However, the sheer scale of the coordination has sent shockwaves through the country’s security establishment.
Crisis in Quetta and the Mastung Jailbreak
BLA fighters seize control of key districts and orchestrate a mass prison escape.
The conflict intensified early Saturday morning when armed fighters moved into city centers. In a daring raid, militants attacked the Mastung Jail, facilitating the escape of over 30 inmates.
Simultaneously, BLA units took control of the Eastern Bypass in Quetta, effectively cutting off major transit routes. Security forces responded by jamming mobile phone services and suspending all train operations across the province to disrupt militant communication.
Moreover, the BLA’s Majeed Brigade utilized suicide bombers and female fighters in these assaults. Videos released by the group show militants occupying government offices in Nushki and Mastung.
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While the military describes the attacks as “coordinated but poorly executed,” local reports suggest that several areas remain contested. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) office in Nushki reportedly suffered heavy casualties, with at least eight personnel losing their lives in the initial ambush.
Escalation of Operation Herof: Context and Regional Impact
Phase 2 marks a deadlier turn following the anniversary of the 2024 August offensive.
Operation Herof first gained notoriety in August 2024, marking the anniversary of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti’s death. That initial phase saw over 100 casualties and significant infrastructure damage. This new 2026 offensive, however, demonstrates a higher level of urban infiltration.
The BLA claims these actions are a direct response to “enforced disappearances” and the exploitation of Balochistan’s natural resources.
The timing of the attacks is also linked to ongoing human rights protests. Relatives of missing persons recently blocked the CPEC highway in Turbat. They allege that security forces have conducted illegal night raids in Gwadar and Kharan districts. As the military continues its clearance operations, the humanitarian crisis in the region deepens. International observers warn that without a political resolution, the cycle of violence in this mineral-rich province will likely continue to spiral.