Baloch rebels claim they’ve taken over Quetta as Pakistan faces multi-front chaos 

What Is Happening in Quetta and Balochistan? 

In what appears to be one of the most significant escalations in the long-running Baloch insurgency, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed that its fighters have captured key positions in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan‘s Balochistan province. The development, which comes amid heightened India-Pakistan border tensions, suggests that Islamabad may be losing grip on multiple domestic and international fronts. 

The claim by the BLA, if verified, would mark an unprecedented expansion in the group’s operational reach, particularly within the heavily fortified provincial capital. The group stated that Pakistani forces had been pushed back from several areas of Quetta after a series of coordinated assaults that reportedly targeted military and communication assets. 

This claim coincides with Pakistan’s military engagement with Indian air defences on the eastern border, where multiple drone and missile intrusions by Pakistani forces were thwarted by India’s Integrated Air Defence systems over cities including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Jaisalmer, and Udhampur between the night of May 8 and 9. 

What Led to the Latest Baloch Insurgency Surge? 

The Baloch insurgency, rooted in long-standing demands for autonomy and resource control, has persisted for decades. However, the latest offensive appears to be a direct reaction to intensified Pakistani military operations in the region and the increasing use of local infrastructure and populations by the state for logistical support. 

The BLA released a statement declaring that it had launched six separate attacks across Kech, Mastung, and Kachhi districts, targeting what it described as “occupying” forces and their collaborators. According to the statement, remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and direct armed assaults were employed to hit military convoys, communication networks, and supply trucks. 

These attacks culminated in the group claiming that it had taken control of parts of Quetta, a city considered crucial for Pakistani administrative and military control in Balochistan. 

Where Were the Major Attacks Reported? 

Reports of explosions and gunfire emerged from several key locations within Quetta. In particular, two blasts were reported at a Pakistani military checkpoint on Qambrani Road in Jangle Bagh. A separate armed assault was launched at military posts in Hazara Town on Kirani Road. Casualty figures remain unconfirmed, but eyewitness accounts and local sources have pointed to continued instability across the city. 

One of the most critical attacks reportedly involved the Frontier Corps Headquarters in Quetta. While independent verification remains limited due to restricted access, the BLA maintains that its fighters had inflicted substantial losses on Pakistan’s security apparatus. 

What Has the Baloch Liberation Army Stated About Its Objectives? 

The Baloch Liberation Army, which is classified as a terrorist organization by Pakistan and several other countries, continues to present its armed campaign as a nationalist struggle. Jeeyand Baloch, the group’s spokesperson, released a detailed report outlining recent operations and reaffirmed the group’s intent to disrupt Pakistani military logistics, resource extraction activities, and communication infrastructure. 

In the Dashtak area of Zamaran, BLA fighters reportedly killed a bomb disposal squad member through a remote-controlled IED. Additional attacks were carried out in Katgan and Sah Dim, where checkpoints were targeted with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, resulting in multiple casualties. 

Supply chains supporting Pakistani army units in Balochistan have also been disrupted. The BLA claimed that a supply truck was destroyed in Sah Dim via another IED attack. The rebels also warned locals against supporting the Pakistani military, stating that those assisting “occupation forces” would be held accountable. 

How Has Pakistan’s Military Responded? 

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) acknowledging the loss of control in Quetta or the specific casualties claimed by the BLA. However, sources indicate that the Pakistani military is increasing troop movement toward the region, possibly to regain control or reinforce key positions under threat. 

Reports of Pakistani troops using civilian contractors and traders under token systems in Zamaran and Tigran highlight efforts to maintain supply routes amid rising hostilities. This approach has drawn criticism from insurgent groups who argue that such tactics amount to the militarisation of local populations. 

Why Is This Escalation Significant for the Region? 

The timing of the Baloch escalation is especially significant given the broader geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, for which India blamed Pakistan-based terrorist networks, Indian forces have launched Operation Sindoor — a counteroffensive targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). 

This has placed immense pressure on Islamabad’s military, which is now facing both external confrontation with India and internal insurgency in Balochistan. The situation could potentially strain Pakistan’s resources and military cohesion, especially if international attention shifts further toward Islamabad’s internal instability. 

Quetta’s strategic importance as a command and control hub for security operations in Balochistan amplifies the seriousness of the BLA’s claims. If these reports are substantiated, it would signal a significant security breach and potentially embolden other insurgent factions in the region. 

What Is the BLA’s Strategy Moving Forward? 

In addition to military targets, the Baloch Liberation Army has continued its focus on infrastructure. The group stated it destroyed a Ufone communication tower in Kachhi’s Haji Shahr area, cutting access to digital networks in some parts. It also claimed responsibility for attacking vehicles it alleges were being used to exploit Balochistan’s natural resources, particularly in Mastung’s Chotu area. 

The BLA reiterated that it would not permit local or foreign entities to extract resources from the region without the consent of the Baloch people. This rhetoric reflects longstanding grievances over Pakistan’s resource policies in Balochistan, where many residents have protested the unequal distribution of benefits from mining and energy development projects. 

What Does This Mean for Regional Stability? 

If the Baloch rebels’ claims hold up to scrutiny, Pakistan’s ability to maintain a coherent national security posture could be severely undermined. A deteriorating security environment in Balochistan may also raise alarms for China, which has heavily invested in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project that runs through this volatile province. 

Repeated insurgent attacks on CPEC-related infrastructure in the past have led to delays and raised questions about project security guarantees. Renewed insurgency and instability in Balochistan could further imperil investor confidence and reduce Islamabad’s leverage in regional partnerships. 

Meanwhile, on the eastern front, Pakistan remains under intense military scrutiny from India. The current environment — with airspace incursions, retaliatory air defences, and heightened diplomatic tensions — could rapidly escalate if internal unrest continues to erode Pakistan’s control over its western frontier. 

Is Quetta Really Under BLA Control? 

As of now, the full extent of BLA control over Quetta cannot be independently verified. Pakistani media and government sources have been either silent or dismissive of the claims, while communications from the region remain fragmented. However, the specific and coordinated nature of the reported attacks, combined with the detailed operational breakdowns released by the BLA, lend credibility to the scale of the offensive. 

International observers are watching closely, with some intelligence analysts warning that this could mark a new phase in Pakistan’s domestic conflict — one that coincides with broader strategic challenges and may significantly influence future India-Pakistan military dynamics.