QUETTA: Security officials in Balochistan have vehemently denied a dramatic claim of a large-scale militant attack in Kharan district, dismissing it as fabricated propaganda. The report, originating from the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), described a multi-pronged assault on January 15th, which authorities confirm never occurred.
According to a statement attributed to BLF spokesperson Major Gawram Baloch and published on the propaganda website The Balochistan Post, the group’s fighters, referred to as “Sarmachars,” allegedly seized control of Kharan city. The detailed account claimed the takeover of a police station, hostage-taking, bank attacks in the main market resulting in a guard’s death, and an ambush that destroyed a military convoy, killing 15 personnel.
However, security sources on the ground have categorically refuted these claims. “No such incident occurred in the area so far,” a security official stated, labeling the BLF’s narrative as a complete fiction. Officials highlighted that the district remained calm on the mentioned date, with no reports of violence, attacks on financial institutions, or military engagements.
Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution and verify such alarming claims through official channels before spreading panic. They attributed the fabricated story to the group’s attempts to project strength and disrupt the peace through misinformation campaigns, particularly via online platforms known for disseminating militant propaganda.
The BLF, a proscribed militant organization, has previously been accused by the state of being a faction of terrorist elements. This latest incident underscores the ongoing information warfare in the region, where militant groups often use exaggerated or entirely false claims of attacks for psychological impact and recruitment purposes, while officials work to counter false narratives and maintain public order.
