Operation Herof 2.0: Women on the Front Lines of the Baloch Insurgency

(BLA) launched what it termed “Operation Herof 2.0”—a six-day, multi-district offensive that would become one of the most extensive militant operations in Balochistan’s history. Striking across multiple areas in about 12 districts, the BLA coordinated assaults on security installations, police stations, banks, and government buildings from Quetta to Gwadar.

A Doctrine of Escalation

Operation Herof 2.0 followed the original “Operation Herof” executed in August 2024, which the BLA itself described as a turning point in its campaign. The February 2026 sequel marked a dramatic escalation in both scale and sophistication: The BLA claimed over 70 attacks in 14 cities, killing 300+ security forces personnel, with all of its combat units reportedly engaged: the Majeed Brigade (suicide operations), Fateh Squad, Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), ZIRAB (intelligence wing), and Hakkal (media wing). Pakistan’s security forces responded with counter-operation “Radd-ul-Fitna 1,” which the ISPR reported resulted in the deaths of 200 + militants.