Latest news with #BaluchLiberationArmy
3 days ago
- Politics
Pakistani forces kill 33 militants in overnight operation near Afghan border
QUETTA, Pakistan -- Pakistani security forces killed 33 militants who attempted to enter the insurgency-hit southwest from neighboring Afghanistan, the military said Friday. The military said in a statement that an overnight operation took place in the Zhob district of Balochistan province, where troops spotted " Khwarij,' a phrase the government uses for Pakistani Taliban. A search operation was underway to find and eliminate any remaining insurgents, the military said. Pakistan often accuses the Taliban government in Afghanistan of turning a blind eye to militants operating near the frontier. Kabul denies the charge. The Pakistani military said the militants who were killed had the backing of India, though it offered no evidence to back up the allegation. Pakistan has long accused New Delhi of supporting the Pakistani Taliban and separatists in Baluchistan. There was no immediate comment from New Delhi. In a statement, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for what he called a successful operation. Also on Friday, the government in Balochistan said it suspended mobile phone internet service until August 31 for security reasons. The measure comes ahead of the Aug. 14 Independence Day holiday, which celebrates Pakistan gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947. In recent years, insurgents in Balochistan have targeted people selling national flags ahead of the holiday. Baluchistan has for years been the scene of an insurgency by separatist groups, along with attacks by the Pakistani Taliban and the outlawed Baluch Liberation Army. The separatists demand independence from Pakistan's central government in Islamabad. Officials say the insurgency has been largely quelled, but violence continues. Currently, Pakistan's security forces are also carrying out intelligence-based operations in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where troops in April killed 54 Pakistani Taliban in what authorities described as the deadliest single-day clash for militants this year. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, most claimed by Pakistani Taliban who are known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, and are allies of the Afghan Taliban. TTP is a separate group and has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan since then.
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Pakistani forces kill 33 militants in overnight operation near Afghan border
By ABDUL SATTAR Pakistani security forces killed 33 militants who attempted to enter the insurgency-hit southwest from neighboring Afghanistan, the military said Friday. The military said in a statement that an overnight operation took place in the Zhob district of Balochistan province, where troops spotted " Khwarij,' a phrase the government uses for Pakistani Taliban. A search operation was underway to find and eliminate any remaining insurgents, the military said. Pakistan often accuses the Taliban government in Afghanistan of turning a blind eye to militants operating near the frontier. Kabul denies the charge. The Pakistani military said the militants who were killed had the backing of India, though it offered no evidence to back up the allegation. Pakistan has long accused New Delhi of supporting the Pakistani Taliban and separatists in Baluchistan. There was no immediate comment from New Delhi. In a statement, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for what he called a successful operation. Also on Friday, the government in Balochistan said it suspended mobile phone internet service until August 31 for security reasons. The measure comes ahead of the Aug. 14 Independence Day holiday, which celebrates Pakistan gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947. In recent years, insurgents in Balochistan have targeted people selling national flags ahead of the holiday. Baluchistan has for years been the scene of an insurgency by separatist groups, along with attacks by the Pakistani Taliban and the outlawed Baluch Liberation Army. The separatists demand independence from Pakistan's central government in Islamabad. Officials say the insurgency has been largely quelled, but violence continues. Currently, Pakistan's security forces are also carrying out intelligence-based operations in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where troops in April killed 54 Pakistani Taliban in what authorities described as the deadliest single-day clash for militants this year. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, most claimed by Pakistani Taliban who are known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, and are allies of the Afghan Taliban. TTP is a separate group and has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan since then. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What's behind the surge in attacks and train hijacking in Pakistan's restive southwest?
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's neglected southwestern province of Balochistan has been the scene of a yearslong insurgency, with a dramatic uptick in attacks in recent years underscoring the struggles the government in Islamabad faces in dealing with myriad security threats. However, the hijacking of a passenger train on Tuesday was the first time the outlawed Baluch Liberation Army, or BLA, carried out such a large-scale operation, taking hundreds of people aboard the train hostage and battling Pakistani security forces to a standoff on Wednesday. Islamabad-based independent analyst Abdullah Khan told The Associated Press the train hijacking was the worst attack to date by the BLA — and predicted the country will be shocked when the final details surface, including the number of casualties, which he expects to be high. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. At least 30 militants were killed in initial exchanges of gunfire around the Jafer Express since the BLA attacked the train. By late Wednesday, security forces had rescued 190 of the 450 passengers who were initially on the train, according to officials. Who are the separatists and what are they fighting for? Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province and the country's least populated. It's also a hub for the country's ethnic Baloch minority, whose members say they face discrimination by the government. The separatists have fought since the early 2000s for autonomy — if not outright independence — from Islamabad and for a greater share of natural resources that the undeveloped province abounds in, such as natural gas, oil and minerals. Over the years, the BLA has grown in strength, prompting some analysts to say the group today compares to the Pakistani Taliban in terms of the threat it poses for the country. The BLA has regularly targeted Pakistani security forces and has also in the past attacked civilians, including Chinese nationals working on multibillion-dollar projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It has also staged attacks beyond Balochistan, including in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. Although the government insists it has significantly curbed violence, attacks in Balochistan have not abated. Islamic militant groups also operate in the province. Why now? The BLA, which both Pakistan and the United States have designated a terrorist organization, is estimated to have around 3,000 fighters, promptly claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday. The group seeks to establish an independent Baloch state, encompassing territories in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan where the Baloch ethnic group lives. Islamabad maintains that the BLA is getting support from neighboring India, a rival and like Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation — though New Delhi has dismissed the allegation. The Pakistani government also claims that there is a degree of cooperation between the BLA and the country's top militant group, the Pakistani Taliban. Analysts say the BLA has grown more emboldened since the Pakistani Taliban ended a cease-fire with the government in November 2022, encouraging more militant attacks across the country. What's the bigger picture? Separately from the rivalry with India, Pakistan has also had a tense relationship with neighboring Iran, contributing to the insecurity in Baluchistan. The two countries share a 900-kilometer (560-mile) border, which remains largely ungoverned, allowing smugglers and militant groups to move about freely. Both governments accuse each other of harboring or tolerating insurgent groups. Economic factors also drive the unrest, said Khan, the analyst, adding that it does not bode well for Pakistan's economy. 'Who will come and invest in Pakistan if we keep seeing such attacks,' he said. Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative has poured billions of dollars into Pakistan but it has also alienated the Baloch minority further. They say Islamabad is exploiting Balochistan's resources while neglecting the local communities. However, Syed Muhammad Ali, a security analyst, said that while the train attack may have provided the BLA with 'instant public and media attention,' the likely civilian deaths from the attack will ultimately "weaken their support base' among the province's population.
Washington Post
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
What's behind the surge in attacks and train hijacking in Pakistan's restive southwest?
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's neglected southwestern province of Balochistan has been the scene of a yearslong insurgency, with a dramatic uptick in attacks in recent years underscoring the struggles the government in Islamabad faces in dealing with myriad security threats. However, the hijacking of a passenger train on Tuesday was the first time the outlawed Baluch Liberation Army, or BLA, carried out such a large-scale operation, taking hundreds of people aboard the train hostage and battling Pakistani security forces to a standoff on Wednesday.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
What's behind the surge in attacks and train hijacking in Pakistan's restive southwest?
Pakistan's neglected southwestern province of Balochistan has been the scene of a yearslong insurgency, with a dramatic uptick in attacks in recent years underscoring the struggles the government in Islamabad faces in dealing with myriad security threats. However, the hijacking of a passenger train on Tuesday was the first time the outlawed Baluch Liberation Army, or BLA, carried out such a large-scale operation, taking hundreds of people aboard the train hostage and battling Pakistani security forces to a standoff on Wednesday. Islamabad-based independent analyst Abdullah Khan told The Associated Press the train hijacking was the worst attack to date by the BLA — and predicted the country will be shocked when the final details surface, including the number of casualties, which he expects to be high. At least 30 militants were killed in initial exchanges of gunfire around the Jafer Express since the BLA attacked the train. By late Wednesday, security forces had rescued 190 of the 450 passengers who were initially on the train, according to officials. Who are the separatists and what are they fighting for? Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province and the country's least populated. It's also a hub for the country's ethnic Baloch minority, whose members say they face discrimination by the government. The separatists have fought since the early 2000s for autonomy — if not outright independence — from Islamabad and for a greater share of natural resources that the undeveloped province abounds in, such as natural gas, oil and minerals. Over the years, the BLA has grown in strength, prompting some analysts to say the group today compares to the Pakistani Taliban in terms of the threat it poses for the country. The BLA has regularly targeted Pakistani security forces and has also in the past attacked civilians, including Chinese nationals working on multibillion-dollar projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It has also staged attacks beyond Balochistan, including in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. Although the government insists it has significantly curbed violence, attacks in Balochistan have not abated. Islamic militant groups also operate in the province. Why now? The BLA, which both Pakistan and the United States have designated a terrorist organization, is estimated to have around 3,000 fighters, promptly claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday. The group seeks to establish an independent Baloch state, encompassing territories in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan where the Baloch ethnic group lives. Islamabad maintains that the BLA is getting support from neighboring India, a rival and like Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation — though New Delhi has dismissed the allegation. The Pakistani government also claims that there is a degree of cooperation between the BLA and the country's top militant group, the Pakistani Taliban. Analysts say the BLA has grown more emboldened since the Pakistani Taliban ended a cease-fire with the government in November 2022, encouraging more militant attacks across the country. What's the bigger picture? Separately from the rivalry with India, Pakistan has also had a tense relationship with neighboring Iran, contributing to the insecurity in Baluchistan. The two countries share a 900-kilometer (560-mile) border, which remains largely ungoverned, allowing smugglers and militant groups to move about freely. Both governments accuse each other of harboring or tolerating insurgent groups. Economic factors also drive the unrest, said Khan, the analyst, adding that it does not bode well for Pakistan's economy. 'Who will come and invest in Pakistan if we keep seeing such attacks,' he said. Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative has poured billions of dollars into Pakistan but it has also alienated the Baloch minority further. They say Islamabad is exploiting Balochistan's resources while neglecting the local communities. However, Syed Muhammad Ali, a security analyst, said that while the train attack may have provided the BLA with 'instant public and media attention,' the likely civilian deaths from the attack will ultimately "weaken their support base' among the province's population.
