- By Supratik Das
- Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:06 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a major escalation in the Baloch insurgency, the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for deploying its first-ever woman fidayeen in an assault on a heavily fortified Frontier Corps (FC) complex tied to Chinese-operated mining projects in Pakistan’s Chagai district.
The strike, carried out on Sunday evening, targeted the central compound that supports the Saindak and Reko Diq copper-gold operations, facilities that hold significant economic and geopolitical weight for Pakistan and its foreign partners.
According to BLF statements released on Telegram, the bomber, identified as Zareena Rafiq alias Trang Mahoo, detonated herself at the outer barrier, clearing the way for a squad of armed insurgents to storm the installation. According to the local media, six Pakistani personnel were allegedly killed, although authorities in Islamabad have yet to offer any official confirmation.
First Use Of Female Suicide Bomber By BLF
The use of a woman fidayeen marks a notable shift in BLF’s operational tactics. Until now, suicide missions in Balochistan were largely executed by the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has claimed several high-profile attacks in recent years, including the Jaffar Express hijack and strikes on Chinese interests across the province.
BLF spokesperson Gwahram Baloch said the operation was executed by the group’s elite Sado Operational Battalion (SOB), a unit named after slain commander WajaSado. The battalion is known for high-risk missions and is believed to consist of some of the organisation’s most experienced fighters.
The attack came amid a sharp spike in militant activity. The BLA, in a separate statement, said it carried out 29 coordinated strikes between November 28 and 29, claiming the deaths of 27 Pakistani military personnel. These included attacks in Gwadar, Pasni, Mastung, Quetta, and Jiwani, targeting Coast Guard camps, military intelligence teams, defence installations, and the residence of an army major. In Quetta, six explosions were reported near defence sites, with additional casualties believed to have occurred when bomb disposal units advanced toward the blast points.
The Sado Operational Battalion, named after “Sado,” a Balochi term linked to thunder or sudden impact, operates as BLF’s special operations element. The unit likely consists of 40–80 highly trained fighters. The BLF, led by Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch, has escalated its activities over the past year, increasingly focusing on sites tied to Chinese investments.