A recent wave of coordinated violence in Balochistan has drawn international attention, as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks led by two young female fidayeen, Asifa Mengal (23) and Hawa Baloch (24). Over the weekend, these attacks specifically targeted government offices, banks, and military installations across various regions, including Kalat, Gwadar, Mastung, Noshki, Kharan, Turbat, and Pasni.
The BLA has released photos and video footage of the assaults, which formed part of an operation referred to as Herof 2.0. Asifa Mengal, a native of Noshki, emerged as a notable figure, having departed from a conventional life to join the BLA’s Majeed Brigade. She participated in significant attacks, including a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) strike on the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters in her hometown in early 2026. According to BLA officials, she joined the Majeed Brigade on her 21st birthday in 2023.
Hawa Baloch’s journey to radicalization was equally poignant, marked by the loss of her father, Nabi Baksh Baloch, a former BLA member who was killed in 2021 in Iran. Motivated by personal loss, Hawa’s decision to join the Majeed Brigade reflected her desire for revenge and justice.
The scale of the violence saw participation from individuals ranging in age from a 60-year-old to a 70-year-old, all of whom engaged in self-sacrificial attacks. The BLA claims to have inflicted significant casualties on Pakistani security forces, alleging that over 100 personnel were killed, while the Balochistan Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, asserts that over 145 rebels have been neutralized in the military response.
Although reports of violence persisted into Monday, a decrease in intensity has been noted. This ongoing conflict represents a troubling exacerbation of the long-standing crisis in Balochistan, underscoring the region’s complex socio-political landscape and the profound issues driving individuals, particularly young women, to engage in such extreme measures. As both sides continue to assert their narratives, the situation remains volatile and highly concerning for stability in the area.