Baloch Fighters Reveal Women Suicide Bombers in Major Offensive

• The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) identified Hawa Baloch and Asifa Mengal as female fighters in its recent 40-hour offensive, 'Operation Herof Phase II', across multiple districts.
• BLA claims women fighters were used to bypass security at checkpoints due to cultural sensitivities, enabling them to target high-security locations.
• Hawa Baloch, alias Droshum, was identified as a "fidayeen" killed in Gwadar, with her recruitment linked to her father's death in 2021; she urged Baloch women to join the resistance.
• Asifa Mengal, 23, allegedly conducted a vehicle-borne IED attack on the Inter-Services Intelligence headquarters in Noshki on January 31.
• BLA claims over 200 Pakistani personnel killed, 17 captured, while Pakistan officials report 145 militants and 17 security forces killed, accusing BLA of disinformation.

Why It Matters: BLA highlights female suicide bombers in a significant offensive, while Pakistani officials dispute casualty figures.