Thread by @CalibreObscura

[THREAD] #Balochistan: The BLA released 2 long videos on their attack in Marwaar, #Bolan, on May 31st 2021. This was against a large Pakistani Frontier Corps post and involved an attack team of around 30+ insurgents. Although the attack was typical, it was larger than usual.

1/

BLA fighters went through detailed planning including using a model to plan movements, point out guard towers, local terrain, etc. Seems that the planning took place fairly far away from FC post, with the fighters then travelling. Note AKs, Zastava M84, PG-7V, PSL, SVD, etc.

2/

We're given GPS co-ords (29.96225530387559, 67.4549640088277 (I think)) so if anyone has any nice sat pics pre and prior to the raid I'd be interested. Note they're aware of the proximity to air assets, and hence possible length of time for support to arrive (it doesn't)

3/

The attack starts in a fairly conventional manner, with aimed fire from PSL/SVD DMR, scoped M16A4, etc. The goal here seems to take defenders out in the open by surprise. BLA fighter(s) then open fire with machine guns, including the M249 seen here.

4/

Throughout the next ~25 minutes of footage, the BLA fighters move closer to the walls of the large outpost, usually utilising AKM/Type 56 rifles at effective ranges. The outpost itself is hit with RPG fire- most likely OG-7V/OGi-7MA & PG-7V/T69-1 projectiles.

5/

Continues for a long while as fighters get close enough to engage in close combat with the FC inside the base, who are performing better than previous occasions. Large quantities of RPGs are still used, and grenades. At least 1 BLA fighter is killed in CQB over the walls.

6/

FC men, realising the situation is becoming difficult, w/ at least 15 BLA fighters on different sides of the base, mostly withdraw to better protected guard posts and buildings inside. BLA fighters begin to get inside the base & use OG-7V/nades at dangerously close ranges.

7/

At least one BLA marksmen using the popular M16A4 moves up to the walls of the base and begins firing at FC inside. BLA fighters continue with CQ throughout the base, engaging in quite intense fighting amongst the small structures. More BLA die.

8/

As the tide fully turns in favour of the insurgents, fighting continues and they move throughout the whole base, then strip it of weapons and materiel, as already recorded below 👇

9/

https://twitter.com/CalibreObscura/status/1400426719593521155

They then burn the whole base, and capture at least one FC member, who appears to be wounded. This whole fight appears to have taken hours and it's surprising that Pakistani Air support (or even ground) didn't arrive, which could have foiled the attack to a degree.

10/

Afterwards, the insurgents show off a captured man (Which is a little uncommon locally). Note shorted AK and AKM with UBGL, plus PSL DMR. Oh, and BLA fighter with a captured G3A3. Note comms in hand.

11/

Some conclusions, atho am *not* a tactics person. It's apparant that the BLA whilst lacking some basic training are also adept at effectively targeting FC posts, w/ this attack being one of the larger seen for quite a while. They bring the kit (MG, RPG) they need & no more.

12/

A little more defenses and some additional support for the FC post could have probably have averted this situation, in which a claimed 25 militiamen died. The weapons mix we see is quite typical for the area, with BLA marksmen again a key element.

[END]

cc @Natsecjeff @MENA_Conflict @COIN_V2 @oryxspioenkop @AbraxasSpa etc etc.

(Oh, and if you like threads like this: ko-fi.com/CalibreObscura 🐵)