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India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
What is Balochistan Liberation Army, which has been a thorn in Pakistan's flesh for decades? How did it become so powerful?
Islamabad: The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has been in the news for its daring attacks on the Pakistani armed forces. The BLA has been a formidable challenge for Pakistan. 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.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Himanta praises Balochistan movement after Pahalgam terror strike
1 2 3 Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday criticised Pakistan over Balochistan amid the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack . He lauded the Balochistan movement aimed against the Pakistan govt and described it as an indigenous people's continuous pursuit of dignity, rights and autonomy. He noted that the 2006 killing of tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, a pivotal figure in Baloch politics and staunch advocate for Balochistan's rights, was a painful chapter that intensified calls for self-governance and accountability. "The Baloch people, despite inhabiting a province rich in natural resources, have long struggled with underdevelopment and allegations of systematic exploitation by the central govt (referring to Pakistan). The killing of respected tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006 marked a particularly painful chapter, reigniting demands for self-determination and justice. Today, the Balochistan movement stands as a symbol of an indigenous people's enduring aspiration for dignity, rights, and control over their own destiny — a struggle marked by immense sacrifice, resilience, and an unbroken spirit for freedom," Sarma wrote in his 'X' handle. He highlighted that sentiments of political exclusion, economic marginalisation and cultural oppression have triggered multiple uprisings across decades, particularly in 1958, 1962, 1973, and the early 2000s. Referring to historical events, Sarma said, "The Balochistan freedom movement traces its roots to the tumultuous events of 1947–1948, when the princely state of Kalat, representing much of what is today Balochistan, sought to maintain its sovereignty after the end of British colonial rule. Despite initial negotiations for autonomy, the region was forcibly annexed by Pakistan in March 1948, sowing deep resentment among the Baloch people." Recent years saw increased violence in Balochistan with separatist groups alleging Pakistan govt's exploitation of natural resources. Growing unease also exists regarding Balochistan's security situation, including concerns about potential secession from Pakistan.
AllAfrica
17-03-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
A path to peace in incendiary Balochistan
Pakistan's Baloch insurgency is not merely a law and order issue; it is a manifestation of decades-long state failure, broken promises and exploitative policies. Successive governments have responded to Baloch grievances with force rather than dialogue, treating a political problem as a military one. As a result, the conflict has only intensified, with insurgent attacks becoming more sophisticated and brutal. The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, which resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent passengers and all 33 insurgents, is the latest example of a deepening crisis that the state has consistently mishandled. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and most resource-rich province, remains its most impoverished. Despite contributing significantly to the country's gas and mineral reserves, Balochistan has been systematically denied its rightful share of development. Roads, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure remain woefully inadequate, leaving large swathes of the province in extreme poverty. This economic disparity has been at the heart of Baloch resentment since Pakistan's creation, but instead of addressing these legitimate concerns, the state has relied on military crackdowns, enforced disappearances and political suppression. Historically, every attempt by Baloch leaders to secure greater autonomy or resource control has been met with brute force. From the military operation against Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006 to the ongoing campaign of enforced disappearances, Pakistan's approach has been to silence dissent rather than engage with it. This heavy-handed response has radicalized generations of Baloch youth, pushing them toward insurgent groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA), who now see violence as the only means of securing their rights. The state's handling of Balochistan has been defined by shortsighted policies that prioritize control over reconciliation. One of the most glaring examples is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar project that runs through Balochistan but provides little benefit to its people. Roads and ports are built for Chinese interests while security forces are deployed to protect foreign investments. Meanwhile, the Baloch remain marginalized in their own land. Rather than using CPEC as an opportunity to integrate Balochistan into the national economy, the government has treated it as a security project, deepening the resentment that fuels the insurgency. Moreover, the state's reliance on military solutions has made matters worse. Instead of engaging with legitimate Baloch political leaders, the government has empowered puppet politicians who lack credibility and influence. This political vacuum has allowed insurgent groups to present themselves as the true representatives of Baloch aspirations. At the same time, the military's counterinsurgency tactics, marked by extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, have turned the conflict into a cycle of violence, with each act of state repression pushing more young Baloch into the ranks of insurgent groups. The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, in which Baloch insurgents took hundreds of passengers hostage, more than 25 of whom were killed, should serve as a wake-up call for the Pakistani state. The attack, which ended in a deadly confrontation with security forces, was not just alarming but also a clear warning to state authorities. It demonstrated that the insurgents are willing to escalate their fight, even at the cost of civilian lives. More importantly, it also highlighted the government's inability to contain the insurgency despite years of military operations, mass human rights violations, enforced disappearances and intelligence crackdowns. Pathetically, the government's immediate response was to blame Afghanistan and India, once again deflecting responsibility instead of addressing the real issues. Even if external forces are exploiting the insurgency, the root cause remains domestic: a long history of political exclusion, economic exploitation and systematic abuse. No foreign power can fuel an insurgency unless there is already deep discontent within the population. The Balochistan issue is one of Pakistan's most critical internal challenges, rooted in historical grievances, political marginalization, economic exploitation and human rights violations. A sustainable resolution requires a comprehensive approach centered on democratic representation, justice, development and meaningful dialogue rather than coercion and suppression. First, political alienation fuels unrest, as elections often install illegitimate representatives. Ensuring free and fair elections without military interference is crucial to restoring trust and providing Balochistan with genuine political leadership. A credible democratic process will empower real representatives to address grievances effectively. Second, human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, deepen resentment. The state must end these abuses, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure fair trials. Without addressing these injustices, reconciliation efforts will lack credibility and fail to gain public trust. Third, despite its vast resources, Balochistan remains underdeveloped due to corruption. A significant portion of development funds is misappropriated by politicians, officials and contractors, leaving little for actual projects. Transparent governance, independent oversight and community monitoring are essential to ensuring that development reaches the people. Fourth, dialogue is key to resolving the conflict, but it must be credible and inclusive. Engaging respected Baloch leaders like Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Akhtar Mengal, and Dr Abdul Malik Baloch can facilitate meaningful negotiations. The government must move beyond symbolic gestures and genuinely address political, economic and security concerns. Fifth, reconciliation must be sincere, not staged. Past injustices must be acknowledged, political prisoners released, and former dissidents integrated into society. The use of force as a governing tool must end. Only genuine efforts can build trust and create lasting peace. Finally, and most important, is the state's political will and commitment. A security-centric approach will only deepen mistrust and prolong the conflict. Pakistan's stability and economic future depend on treating Balochistan as an equal partner through justice, development and democratic inclusion.
