What is Balochistan Liberation Army, which has been a thorn in Pakistan's flesh for decades? How did it become so powerful?
The US State Department, on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, labelled the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its branch, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). It is being viewed as a victory for Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, as declaring BLA a terrorist organisation will weaken its global support.
Amidst these developments, let us tell you about the Balochistan Liberation Army. What is the Balochistan Liberation Army?
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was formed in 2000. It made international headlines in March this year when it hijacked the Jaffar Express train going from Quetta to Peshawar. The Pakistani army had a tough time freeing this train.
Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province, rich in minerals and resources, and the least populated and most backwards. The Baloch people blame the policies of the Pakistani government for this. After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, there have been at least five separatist rebellions in this region. The most recent movement started in the early 2000s. Which event further triggered the Baloch movement?
The violence in Balochistan worsened after the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti by Pakistan's security forces in 2006. Nawab Akbar Bugti was Balochistan's most prominent tribal leader. It is alleged that Bugti was killed on the orders of Pakistan's then-dictator General Pervez Musharraf. Akbar Bugti was not only the head of the influential Bugti community, but he was also the Chief Minister of Balochistan. This assassination shocked Pakistan, but the biggest impact was felt in Balochistan. Why did the new generation of Balochis join the separatist movement?
After Bugti's assassination, the new generation of Balochis became convinced that the Pakistani regime did not want to talk to them. This gave rise to a wave of separatism in Balochistan. The group launched violent attacks targeting Pakistani security forces, government infrastructure and projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) present in Balochistan.
Its special unit, Majeed Brigade, is known for suicide missions and more coordinated urban attacks. The group has safe havens in Iran and Afghanistan, which enable it to continue its attacks inside Balochistan. How did the new leadership of BLA restructure the organisation?
The BLA started out under tribal leadership, but the inclusion of commanders like Aslam Baloch and Bashir Zeb gave it a new dimension. Aslam and Zeb emerged from the cadre of the Baloch student organisation Azad and later joined the BLA. They did not get along with London-based leaders like Hyrbyair Marri, and thus, the movement gradually turned from tribal chiefs to a middle-class rebellion.
Aslam Baloch focused on recruiting educated Baloch youth to the group. This change encouraged women like Shari Baloch, Sumaiya Qalandarani and Mahal Baloch to enlist as suicide bombers for the BLA's Majeed Brigade. In a region like Balochistan, the involvement of women in an armed movement was seen as a significant change. What does the BLA demand?
Supporters of this movement argue that the Pakistani government exploits the wealth of Balochistan, which has led to poverty and political marginalisation of the local population. Although the BLA describes its struggle as a freedom movement for the independence of Balochistan, Pakistan and many Western countries consider it a terrorist organisation due to its use of violence. The group's attacks on infrastructure projects and civilian transport have strengthened its position globally. This is why the US now considers it a direct threat to regional stability.
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