QUETTA: Armed fighters from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked a small town in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Wednesday, seizing government facilities before security forces regained control, an administration official in the area confirmed.
The attack in Zehri, located 150 kilometers from Khuzdar city, occurred when BLA fighters stormed the Levies force station and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office, setting the buildings ablaze and robbing a private bank.
The incident comes days after an explosion targeting a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy in Turbat killed five paramilitary soldiers and injured over 40 people.
“Dozens of armed men attacked Zehri town on Wednesday and burnt a Levies station, NADRA office and robbed a private bank,” Khuzdar’s deputy commissioner, Yasir Iqbal Dashti, told Arab News over the phone. “Security forces timely retaliated and regained control of the area. One soldier of the Frontier Corps got injured during the standoff.”

The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its fighters had seized government properties and set them on fire. Videos shared on social media showed armed men patrolling Zehri’s streets and taking vehicles and motorbikes belonging to security officials.
Asked about the amount stolen from the bank, Dashti said the authorities were investigating and did not yet have the figure.
“Armed men have managed to escape, and the situation is under control now,” he added.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and resource-rich province, has long been plagued by a low-level insurgency led by ethnic Baloch separatist groups like the BLA. They accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, while neglecting the local population.
Pakistan rejects these allegations, asserting that the federal government has prioritized Balochistan’s development by investing in health, education and infrastructure projects.
The BLA has become a significant security threat in recent years, carrying out major attacks in Balochistan and Sindh provinces targeting security forces, ethnic Punjabis and Chinese nationals working on development projects.
Violence by Baloch separatist factions, primarily the BLA, killed about 300 people over the past year, marking an escalation in the decades-long conflict.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat at the United Nations on Wednesday condemned Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights and called for the restoration of Syrian territorial integrity alongside the establishment of an inclusive government structure.
Ambassador Munir Akram delivered his remarks during a Security Council briefing on Syria’s political and humanitarian situation. Pakistan, which began its two-year term as a non-permanent council member this month, has pledged to uphold the UN Charter and promote just resolutions to global conflicts.
The Security Council briefing follows the downfall of the former Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime after a swift offensive was launched by opposition forces led by the religio-political group Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).
The rebels quickly seized key cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Damascus, forcing Assad to flee to Russia, where he was granted asylum. While Damascus airport has resumed international flights to facilitate exiles’ return, Syria remains burdened by significant economic, political and security challenges.
“Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be restored,” the Pakistani diplomat told the council. “Israel’s occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights is illegal and ‘null and void’ as declared by Security Council ... The Council must demand Israel’s full withdrawal.”
Calling Syria a “fraternal country,” Akram welcomed positive statements from the interim administration but stressed the need for their practical implementation.
“Syria is at an important juncture in its history,” he noted. “The recent political developments offer the opportunity to restore normalcy, stability and peace in Syria. Yet this will depend on ensuring a peaceful transition to a new governance structure which is inclusive and stable and ensures Syria’s unity and territorial integrity.”
He also urged vigilance against the “danger of terrorism” emanating from Syria, citing concerns over the presence of foreign fighters and the potential resurgence of Al-Qaeda and Daesh.
“The antecedents of some of the groups, and the reported presence of foreign fighters, dictates caution,” Akram said.
Emphasizing the need to address Syria’s dire humanitarian crisis, thee Pakistani diplomat highlighted that over 70 percent of the population requires aid, with more than one million displaced in recent weeks.
He called for full funding of the UN Humanitarian Response Plan and support for the safe repatriation of Syrian refugees, including those in Turkiye.
He further appealed for international assistance in Syria’s reconstruction, urging collaboration with the new administration to rebuild institutions and stabilize the country.
“The role of the United Nations – especially the Security Council and the Secretary-General – will be indispensable to ensure effective action on all aspects of the challenges confronting Syria,” Akram said.