The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has released a video featuring a female suicide attacker known as Hawa Baloch, who took part in a significant assault in Pakistan’s Balochistan province over the past weekend, marking one of the deadliest confrontations in recent years. In the footage, Hawa is portrayed engaged in combat against Pakistani security forces during the second phase of Operation Herof, specifically at the Gwadar Front.
The BLA asserted that Hawa Baloch fought vigorously alongside her fellow fighters and shared a final message just hours before her death, declaring pride in confronting the ‘Punjabi army.’ The video captures her last moments, highlighting her commitment and defiance even in the face of imminent death. Dressed in a vibrant kurta and a cap emblazoned with the BLA emblem, Hawa expressed her determination, urging her fellow Baloch to rise up against what she described as their cowardly enemy.
In the video, she boldly declared, “Today is the day of joy. Today, we are facing the enemy. Today, we will show the enemy that Baloch mothers and sisters were not and will not be abandoned.” Hawa and her group aimed to demonstrate their strength against Pakistani forces and emphasized that their sacrifices were vital for the Baloch cause.
The operation has resulted in significant casualties, with the Pakistan military reporting the deaths of 92 insurgents, alongside 41 killed in preceding counter-operations. The BLA acknowledged losses on their side as well, confirming that 18 of their fighters were killed during the conflict, including multiple ‘fidayeen’ bombers.
Hawa Baloch represented a new wave of fighters in this protracted separatist movement, often drawing young, educated individuals into activism. Her story reflects a broader narrative of a population seeking autonomy in Balochistan, a region rich in natural resources yet long plagued by political marginalization.
The conflict in Balochistan continues to be marked by military crackdowns on BLA militants, yet there remains significant support within civilian communities for their cause. As tensions persist, the region grapples with the enduring struggle for self-determination amidst cycles of violence.