All You Need To Know About Baloch Liberation Army

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group in Pakistan, on Tuesday hijacked Jaffar Express. According to the reports, more than 100 passengers are in BLA's custody as hostages and they have killed around 6 soldiers who were travelling by the same train.

Emerging in the early 2000s, the BLA is a key player in Pakistan's insurgency landscape. It advocates for a sovereign Baloch state, citing exploitation of Balochistan's resources and political marginalisation by Islamabad as its motives. The group traces its roots to the Baloch nationalist movement that began in the 1940s.

BLA's Structure and Operations

The internal workings of the BLA are largely secretive, but it is believed to operate through a cell-based system. Various commanders manage operations across different regions of Balochistan. Over time, factions like the United Baloch Army (UBA) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA) have emerged, sometimes collaborating under coalitions such as the Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS).

Leadership within the BLA often operates from exile, with members reportedly based in Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries. Key figures have included commanders like Aslam Baloch, who died in a suicide attack in Afghanistan in 2018.

International Designation and Accusations

The BLA has been labelled a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the UK, and the US. In 2019, it was added to the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations due to its attacks on civilians and security personnel. Pakistan has accused foreign intelligence agencies of supporting the BLA amid tensions with India and Afghanistan.

Despite these accusations, direct evidence of state sponsorship remains debated globally. The group's hostility towards projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) makes it a significant disruptor of regional connectivity plans.

The group has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks over recent years. These include a 2018 assault on Karachi's Chinese consulate and a 2019 attack on a luxury hotel in Gwadar targeting Chinese nationals. Additionally, they have ambushed security personnel and sabotaged railway lines and power grids.

Experts warn that evolving tactics like suicide bombings and hostage-taking indicate more coordinated insurgent activities by the group. Despite intensified military operations in Balochistan, deep-rooted grievances persist that many argue require political solutions rather than solely military ones.