Balochistan Conflict: Who Is 23-Year-Old Asifa Mengal, Also Known As Hawa Baloch? 200 Pakistani Killed

The conflict between the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Pakistani military in Balochistan has reached one of its most violent phases so far.

Under the second phase of "Operation Herof," the BLA has intensified coordinated attacks on Pakistani security forces. In the fierce military action that has continued for the past 40 hours, the BLA has claimed that more than 200 personnel from the army, police, and Frontier Corps have been killed, while 17 have been taken captive.

The Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army has made a major shift in strategy by deploying female suicide attackers on the front lines.

Suicide attacks carried out by women fighters such as Asifa Mengal and Hawa Baloch have not only caused heavy losses to the Pakistani army and the ISI, but have also pushed the conflict into a new and more dangerous phase. These attacks have focused on strategic locations and intelligence headquarters in Balochistan.

Asifa Mengal: Attacker on ISI Headquarters

Twenty-three-year-old Asifa Mengal, who targeted the ISI headquarters, was the third female suicide attacker of the Majeed Brigade. On January 31, 2026, she carried out an attack on the ISI headquarters in Nushki.

Born in 2002, Asifa joined the BLA in October 2023. She used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) to strike the high-security military installation.

According to the organisation, Asifa had decided to become a suicide attacker in January 2024, after which she was given special training for this complex and deadly mission.

Hawa Baloch: 'Drosham' of the Gwadar Front

Hawa Baloch, known within the organisation by the code name "Drosham," was a key strategist and fighter in "Operation Herof-2" on the Gwadar front. In a video recorded just 12 hours before her death, Hawa expressed her commitment to the Baloch resistance.

She led from the front against security forces in Gwadar and reportedly caused significant damage to the army. Her video message has now gone viral on social media, highlighting the growing participation of women in the Baloch armed struggle.

Majeed Brigade and Female Suicide Attackers

The BLA's Majeed Brigade is known for carrying out suicide attacks, but the increasing involvement of women has raised serious concerns among security experts.

Apart from Asifa and Hawa, several other female fighters are said to be part of this operation, though their identities have not been disclosed.

These women are not only skilled in gathering intelligence but are also trained in handling weapons and explosives. This shift is giving the Baloch insurgency a more ideological and suicide-driven character.

Balochistan Conflict 2026: Impact of Operation Herof-2

Under the second phase of "Operation Herof," the BLA has claimed the killing of more than 200 Pakistani personnel so far. These attacks have raised serious questions about Pakistan's internal security and have also triggered concerns over the safety of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The strikes in strategically important areas such as Gwadar and Nushki show that insurgents are now directly challenging Pakistan's centres of power, including the ISI. The conflict is increasingly moving towards wider regional instability.

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