Surab city in northeastern Balochistan became a battleground on May 30, 2025, when militants of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched a coordinated assault. The BLA – a separatist insurgent group – claimed to have seized the city’s key government facilities, paralyzing military, administrative, and financial operations. According to BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, fighters stormed Surab for over three hours, capturing the police station, Levies (paramilitary) post, the Deputy Commissioner’s office, a bank, and a guesthouse. Official sources confirm that militants looted a local bank and set fire to multiple government offices and vehicles during the attack.
Surab lies on the main Quetta–Karachi highway and serves as the district headquarters of the newly-formed Surab District. BLA commanders reported that, after taking Surab, they established checkpoints and patrols on the Quetta–Karachi and Surab–Gidar highways, effectively blocking government movement in and out of the city. A number of official vehicles were torched, and weapons including dozens of Kalashnikov rifles were seized from the levies and police posts. In a public statement, the BLA declared: “Our freedom fighters have taken complete control of Surab city” and vowed to continue their campaign “until Baloch national liberation is achieved.”
Attack Details
Witnesses reported that a large group of gunmen – estimated in the dozens – entered Surab on motorbikes and vehicles in the evening. They first blocked the Quetta–Karachi highway, stopping and searching civilian traffic. The militants then stormed government offices, overran the police and Levies posts, and set them ablaze. The attackers looted the local bank and burned four official vehicles in the town. They also attempted to storm the Deputy Commissioner’s office, but Pakistani Frontier Corps and Levies personnel opened fire and forced the assailants to retreat toward the nearby mountains.
Casualties and Captives
The Pakistani government confirms that Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Hidayatullah Buledi was killed while defending his home during the assault. His family, including women and children, were present but unharmed. BLA sources claimed Buledi died of accidental suffocation after being locked in a room, though Pakistani officials rejected that version. No other security forces were reported killed. Some policemen and Levies guards were briefly detained or surrendered but were later released. BLA fighters reportedly screened detainees by ethnicity and released locals unharmed, while allowing civilians to move freely once the town was under their control.
Government Response and Aftermath
Pakistan’s military and provincial authorities described the assault as a nefarious attempt to challenge the writ of the state. Security forces – including the Frontier Corps, local police, and Levies – were dispatched to Surab immediately. By late Friday night, they claimed to have regained control of the town. Militants reportedly retreated into nearby hills under cover of darkness after heavy exchanges of fire. A clearance operation was launched at first light on Saturday. Troops have since set up checkpoints and begun sweeping nearby areas.
Balochistan’s government blamed foreign-sponsored proxies for orchestrating the attack. Officials claimed that normalcy – including banking, traffic, and communications – was being restored. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) promised to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. A forensic investigation into the incident was also announced. As of May 31, Islamabad had not released a detailed casualty report beyond ADC Buledi’s death.
Media Coverage and Reactions
News of the Surab attack spread rapidly on social media, with videos showing plumes of black smoke from burning buildings. Indian and international media widely reported the BLA’s claim of full control. Some outlets ran headlines suggesting Pakistan had “lost grip” on the city. Iranian sources also confirmed that BLA fighters had captured government facilities and were patrolling highways.
Pakistani media reported the incident as a major breach but emphasized the swift military response. Detailed accounts were published quoting government spokesmen on Buledi’s death and civilian safety. The incident has reignited debate over Pakistan’s Balochistan strategy, with analysts warning it could further alienate local populations and expose flaws in regional security preparedness.
Historical Background of the Balochistan Conflict
Balochistan has long suffered from political and economic marginalization. It is Pakistan’s largest province by area, rich in minerals like coal, copper, and gold, and home to the strategic Gwadar port. Despite this, it remains the country’s most underdeveloped region. Many locals feel their natural resources are exploited for national gain while local communities see few benefits. This resentment is often compared to the exploitation felt by East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) before its 1971 independence.
Infrastructure outside major cities is sparse, with poor roads, electricity shortages, and limited access to clean water and public services. In towns like Surab, economic opportunities are scarce, leading many youths to migrate to other provinces or abroad. Locals argue that federal development projects often bypass them entirely, reinforcing the feeling of internal colonialism.
Human Rights Issues
The Balochistan conflict is also marked by allegations of serious human rights abuses. Over the years, hundreds of bodies of missing Baloch activists have been discovered in mass graves. Reports of enforced disappearances, many involving students, political workers, and even farmers, are widespread. Human rights groups have accused state agencies of carrying out extra-judicial killings and torture.
Several mass graves were uncovered between 2014 and 2016, containing remains of individuals believed to have been abducted by security agencies. While the government denies involvement, these cases have become central to the Baloch nationalist narrative. The BLA and other groups frequently demand the release of missing persons and use these incidents to justify armed resistance.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)
The BLA was formed in the late 1990s, with early leadership from the family of Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri. After the deaths of key figures like Akbar Bugti and Balach Marri in the mid-2000s, the movement transitioned from tribal militias to educated student-based cadres. The BLA remains committed to full independence for Balochistan and has been banned as a terrorist organization by Pakistan and other countries.
In recent years, the group has escalated its operations. In early 2025, it hijacked a train in Bolan Pass, demanding the release of missing persons. These actions, while high-profile, have also drawn criticism from those who argue that the violence provokes crackdowns and risks civilian lives. The BLA presents itself as a voice of the oppressed Baloch, but public opinion remains divided.
Lessons from History
Many observers draw parallels between Balochistan’s current struggle and the events leading to the 1971 separation of East Pakistan. Then, as now, grievances centered on unequal development, denial of political rights, and heavy-handed repression. Today, voices within Pakistan warn that branding dissenters as traitors without addressing legitimate grievances risks repeating that historical mistake. The Surab takeover is a stark reminder of the unresolved tensions simmering in Balochistan – and the potential consequences of ignoring them.