TheBalochistan Liberation Army (Balochi:بلۏچستان آجوییء لشکر,romanized: Balochistan Ajooyi Lashkar; also known as theBaloch Liberation Army, abbreviatedBLA) is aBalochethnonationalistmilitant organization based in theBaluchistan region ofAfghanistan.[23][24][25][31] Operating primarily from safe havens scattered across southern Afghanistan, BLA perpetrates attacks in neighboringPakistan'sBalochistan province, which it seeks to remove from Pakistani sovereignty. It frequently targetsPakistan Armed Forces, civilians and foreign nationals.[32][33]
BLA was founded in 2000, although some media and analysts speculate that the group is a resurgence of prior Baloch insurgencies, specifically the Independent Balochistan Movement of 1973 to 1977.[41] According to some sources, two formerKGB agentscode-named 'Misha' and 'Sasha' were among the BLA architects. According to them, BLA was built around theBaloch Student Organization (BSO). BLA disappeared following the withdrawal of theSoviet Union from Afghanistan as theUSSR withdrew funding.[42][43][44]
On 10 February 1973,Pakistani police andparamilitaryraided the Iraqi embassy in Islamabad withoutIraqi government permission. During the raid, they found a large cache of small arms, ammunition, grenades, and other supplies in crates marked 'Foreign Ministry, Baghdad'; they believed these were meant for Baloch rebels. Pakistan responded by expelling and declaringpersona non grata the Iraqi Ambassador, Hikmat Sulaiman, and other consular staff. In a letter to US PresidentNixon on February 14, Pakistani presidentZulfikar Ali Bhutto blamedIndia andAfghanistan, besidesIraq and the Soviet Union, for involvement in a "conspiracy [...] [with] subversive and irredentist elements which seek to disrupt Pakistan's integrity".[45][46]
In 2004, BLA began a violent struggle against Pakistan forself-determination for the Baloch people and the separation of Balochistan from Pakistan, conducting terror attacks against non-Baloch minorities in Balochistan.[47][48][23]
Pakistan designated the Balochistan Liberation Army as a terrorist organization on 7 April 2006 after the group repeatedly attacked security personnel.[49] On 17 July 2006, theBritish government followed suit, listing BLA as a "proscribed group" based on theTerrorism Act 2000.[50] However, the U.K. harbored Hyrbyair Marri, suspected BLA leader, as a refugee, despite Pakistan's protest.[51] The group's actions were described asterrorism by theUnited States Department of State.[52]
On 15 April 2009, Baloch activistBrahamdagh Khan Bugti (accused by the Pakistani government of being a BLA leader), called for Balochis to kill non-Balochis residing in Balochistan, including civilians. Targeted attacks againstPunjabi residents began soon after, causing about 500 deaths. BLA leaders later claimed responsibility for inciting the attacks.[23] BLA targeted people from various ethnic backgrounds, includingPashtuns,Sindhis, andPunjabis, whom BLA consider outsiders.[53][54][55][56][57]
In 2010, BLA attackedschools, teachers, and students in the province.[58]
On 26 April 2022,Shari Baloch, a 30-year old science teacher and mother of two, detonated her explosives in theUniversity of Karachi in Pakistan, killing three Chinese teachers. BLA claimed responsibility for the incident, claiming her as the organisation's first female suicide bomber.[63][64]
On 18 January 2024, Pakistancarried out strikes on separatist targets in Iran. Pakistani foreign ministry said hideouts used by BLA andBLF were successfully struck in the operation.[65]
David Wright-Neville wrote that besides Pakistan, some Western observers claimed that India funds BLA.[68] However, in August 2013, US Special RepresentativeJames Dobbins said, "The dominant infiltration of militants is from Pakistan into Afghanistan, but we recognize that there is some infiltration of hostile militants from the other direction. So Pakistan's concerns aren't groundless. They are simply, in our judgment, somewhat exaggerated."[69]
Yunas Samad reported thatHyrbyair Marri[70] has been the group's leader since 2007. However, in an interview in 2015, Marri denied having any contact with the group.[71] Hyrbyair's brother,Balach, led the group from 2000 until he was killed in 2007.[72]
Foreign involvement
India
The Hindu reported that BLA commanders had sought medical treatment in India's hospitals using disguises and fake identities.[28] One militant commander in charge ofKhuzdar lived inDelhi for at least six months in 2017 while he underwent treatment for kidney ailments.[28] TheExpress Tribune reported another commander,Aslam Baloch, received treatment at aNew Delhi hospital.[28][73]
Pakistan has often accused BLA of acting as an Indianproxy, alleging that Indian consulates inKandahar andJalalabad, Afghanistan, provided arms, training, and financial aid.[74] Baloch separatistHyrbyair Marri denied the group had links with India. He also claimed that he is not a BLA member.[71] India has also denied helping BLA.[75]
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has acknowledged its covert support for BLA. After the death of Aslam Baloch, also known as Achu, inKandahar, Afghan officials stated that Afghan police chiefAbdul Raziq Achakzai had housed Aslam Baloch and other separatists inKandahar for years.[11]Tolonews reported that Aslam Baloch had resided in Afghanistan since 2005.[76]
On 14 December 2006, BLA militants launched six rockets at a paramilitary camp in Balochistan'sKohlu District that then PresidentPervez Musharraf was visiting. Though Musharraf's life was not endangered, the Pakistani government labeled the attack an attempt on his life and initiated a sweeping army operation.[84]
On 14 June 2009, masked gunmen shot dead Anwar Baig, a school teacher inKalat. Baig had opposed recitation of the Baloch anthem in schools. The killing was part of a larger campaign against educators who were seen to be sympathetic to the Pakistani state.[85] On 30 July, BLA militantskidnapped 19 Pakistani police inSui, killed one and injured 16. Over the course of three weeks all but one of the kidnapped officers were killed by their captors.[86]
In 2010, Nazima Talib, a female assistant professor at theUniversity of Balochistan inQuetta wasmurdered. BLA claimed responsibility.[87] The reason for the murder was that Talib was ethnically Punjabi, and she had refused to bribe the BLA. The BLA also wanted her to leave Balochistan. Talib's acquaintances also said that she had eight years of duty remaining at the university, so she did not wanted to leave.
On 14 August, BLA militants killed six laborers and wounded three others on their way home from work in the Khilji area of Quetta.[88]
2011–2020
On 21 November 2011, BLA terrorists attacked government security personnel who were guarding a mine in the northernMusakhel district, killing 14 and wounding 10. BLA claimed to have killed 40.[89] On 31 December, BLA claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb targeting a Baloch politician, Naseer Mengal, at his home in Quetta. The suicide attack killed 13 people and injured 30.[21][90]
On 26 May 2012, BLA took responsibility for the assassination of Muzafar Hussain Jamali,principal of a private school inKharan.[91] Jamali was travelling with his family when they were attacked. Jamali and his eight year old nephew died immediately, while his two daughters were injured.[92] On 12 July, BLA took responsibility for abducting and killing 7 miners and 1 doctor. The miners were abducted in Soorang area on 7 July. The miners were later killed and their bullet ridden bodies were found.[93][94] The victims werePashtuns.Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and miner labour union staged protest outsideBalochistan High Court (BHC).[95]
On 6 August 2013, BLA took responsibility for abducting and killing 11 passengers from a bus nearMachh Town. The militants were disguised as security personnel.[96] On 16 August, BLA claimed responsibility for attackingJaffar Express near Machh. The attack claimed lives of two people and wounded ten.[96] TheQuaid-e-Azam Residency, a historical residence in Balochistan whereMuhammad Ali Jinnah spent the last days of his life, was attacked by rockets on 15 June. The building was nearly demolished. BLA militants claimed responsibility. The militants removed theflag of Pakistan from the monument site, replacing it with aBLA flag.[97] Reconstruction work was completed and the rehabilitatedZiarat Residency opened on 14 August 2014.[98]
On 3 November 2014, BLA attackedUnited Baloch Army (UBA). Commander Ali Sher of UBA was killed in the attack. Four other UBA members were captured by BLA.[99]
On 30 June 2015, BLA clashed with UBA inDera Bugti. The attack resulted in death of 20 militants on both sides.[100]
On 7 October 2016, BLA claimed responsibility for two blasts targetingJaffar Express. The attack claimed lives of six people and wounded eighteen.[101][102]
On 23 November 2018, BLA claimed responsibility for killing four at theChinese Consulate in Karachi.[105][106] The attackers were killed by police during the attack.[107] Later on, the mastermind of the attack, Aslam Baloch Achu, was killed along with five other commanders inKandahar, Afghanistan.[4]
On 11 May 2019, BLA claimed responsibility for an attack on the Zaver Pearl-Continental Hotel in the port city ofGwadar.[108]
On 29 June 2020, 4 BLA militants attempted to attack and hold thePakistan Stock Exchange attack inKarachi as hostage but were killed by security forces.[109] On 15 October, at least 14 security personnel were killed after a convoy of state-runOil & Gas Development Company (OGDCL) was attacked.[110][111] On 27 December, seven soldiers were killed in an attack on aFrontier Corps (FC) Balochistan post inHarnai district of Balochistan.[112]
2021–present
On 7 March 2021, two navy personnel were killed in an attack, while en route toGanz fromJiwani, Balochistan.[113]On 24 March, a bomb blast left at least three dead and another 13 injured.[114][115] On 28 May BLA accepted the responsibility of targeting a water supply vehicle of the Pakistan Army near a post at Nisau Dao Shah area ofKohlu with a landmine attack, which destroyed the vehicle and 4 personnel. On 31 May 10Frontier Corps soldiers were killed and 12 injured in two attacks, an IED attack inTurbat and an attack on a checkpoint nearQuetta. The attack was claimed by BLA.[116][117] On 9 June, BLA accepted responsibility for an attack on the Pakistani army camp in the Karakdan area ofBolan Pass, in which two were killed and two others were critically wounded.[118] On 14 June, 4 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an IED attack at Marget Mines.[119] On 17 June, a Pakistan Army soldier was killed nearTurbat airport, according to a statement from theInter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).[120] On 25 June, five soldiers from Frontier Corps, Balochistan, were killed after terrorists targeted a patrolling party inSibi district's Sangan area.[121] On 1 July, an explosion took place near a moving Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle, At least six people were injured.[122] On 15 July, two soldiers were killed in an IED blast during an operation inPasni.[123][124] On 20 August, two children were killed and three wounded in an attack targeting Chinese nationals inGwadar, Pakistan.[125] On 26 September a statue of Pakistan's founderMohammad Ali Jinnah was destroyed by Baloch militants in the coastal city ofGwadar. On 11 October, Shahid Zehri, a 35-year-old Pakistani journalist was killed in an attack claimed by BLA.[126]
On 25–26 January 2022, an attack on a security checkpoint inKech Province led to the death of 10 Pakistani soldiers.[127] On 2 February, nine militants and 12 soldiers were killed atPanjgur andNushki districts. BLA claimed to have killed more than 100 soldiers at two military camps, claims rejected by Pakistan government.[128][129] On 2 March, three people including a senior police officer inQuetta were killed by a roadside bomb. BLA claimed responsibility.[130] On 26 April, BLA claimed responsibility fora suicide bombing in which four people, including three of Chinese origin atKarachi University, were killed. It further said that this was the first such bombing by a female member of the group.[131]
On 13 August 2023, two BLA militants attacked a convoy of Chinese engineers inGwadar. A spokesman for the BLA claimed 4 Chinese nationals and 9 Pakistani soldiers were killed with numerous others injured in the attack while the two BLA militants committed suicide. However, these claims are unconfirmed and Pakistani and Chinese sources and officials claimed that no Pakistani or Chinese casualties were reported but that the BLA ambush was repulsed with two militants killed. After the attack, security restrictions were placed in Gwadar by Pakistani security forces.[132][133][134]
On 30 January 2024, at least six BLA fighters and four security officials have been killed in an overnight attack in the city ofMach, south of Balochistan's capital, Quetta.[135]
On 26 August 2024, at least 74 people, including 14 soldiers were killed in aseries of attacks in Balochistan. The Liberation Army claimed responsibility.[136][137]
The BLA claimed responsibility for anattack on the airport motorway at Jinnah International Airport on October 6, 2024, in which at least ten people were injured and two Chinese nationals were killed.[138][139]
On 9 November 2024, at least 32 people including the perpetrator were killed and 55 others were injured ina suicide bombing at theQuetta railway station inQuetta, of which the BLA claimed responsibility.[140][141][142] On November 20, the Apex Committee announced military operation against BLA.[143][144][145]
On 11 March 2025, the BLAhijacked a Jaffar Express passenger train carrying hundreds of people fromQuetta toPeshawar.[146][147] After a 30-hour operation by the Pakistani army, it announced that the forces had successfully freed passengers held hostage by the rebel group. Pakistani army claimed that 21 civilians and four security personnel lost their lives during the operation, and additionally a total of 33 militants of Balochistan Liberation Army, including suicide bombers, were killed by the security forces.[148][149]
^abcde"Balochistan Liberation Army – Mapping Militant Organizations".web.stanford.edu.Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved19 December 2016.Some human rights organizations accuse the BLA of ethnic cleansing because on 15 April 2009 during an interview on AAJ TV, alleged leader Brahamdagh Khan Bugti urged separatist to kill any non-native Balochi residing in Balochistan which allegedly led to the deaths of 500 Non-Baloch in Balochistan.
^ab"Afghanistan Keeps US-Pakistan In Interdependency Alive".The Citizen (India). 5 July 2019.Archived from the original on 6 July 2019. Retrieved6 July 2019.The BLA is based in Afghanistan and has been waging a violent armed struggle against Pakistan for the past decade and a half upholding the right of self-determination of the Baloch people and demanding the separation of Balochistan province from Pakistan, apart from being involved in ethnic-cleansing of non-Baloch minorities in Balochistan
^"The Balochistan Liberation Army and insurgency in Pakistan's Balochistan Province". Intelligence Fusion. Retrieved10 January 2024.The numerical strength of the BLA is not clear, with estimates claiming that in the early 2000s after the group formed, there were approximately 6,000 fighters in the BLA. More recent estimates have suggested the total number of fighters is closer to 600.
^abCurtis, Simon; Klaus, Ian (2024).The Belt and Road City: Geopolitics, Urbanization, and China's Search for a New International Order. New Haven and London:Yale University Press.ISBN9780300266900.
Pakistan
India(alleged by Pakistan, but denied by India)[28]
Afghanistan(2002–2021)[11]
Pakistani Taliban (alleged)[29]
China[30]
National Resistance Front of Afghanistan
Iran
United Kingdom
United States
United Nations
European Union
