The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is seen as one of the most formidable separatist groups in Pakistan, particularly in the volatile southwestern province of Balochistan. The group has been responsible for a series of high-profile attacks targeting security forces, infrastructure and foreign investments.
The BLA once again made headlines on Tuesday with a brazen attack on a passenger train traveling from Pakistan’s Quetta in Balochistan to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Militants reportedly hijacked the train, taking over 400 people hostage and killing at least six soldiers.
What is Baloch Liberation Army?
The BLA has been designated as a terrorist outfit by several nations including the US. The BLA seeks independence for Balochistan, a resource-rich province that shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran. It is the largest among several ethnic insurgent groups that have been fighting the federal government for decades, citing grievances over the exploitation of the region’s vast gas and mineral reserves.
The province is home to major mining projects, including Reko Diq, one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines, operated by mining giant Barrick Gold. China, a key player in Pakistan’s infrastructure development, also runs gold and copper extraction projects in the province.
Targeting key infrastructure and foreign interests
While the BLA traditionally focuses its attacks on security installations and infrastructure within Balochistan, it has also extended its reach to other areas. In Karachi, a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was ambushed near the airport last year by the extremist group.
The BLA’s hostility toward Chinese interests, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Gwadar Port, has led to numerous violent confrontations. The group accuses Beijing of aiding Islamabad in the economic exploitation of Balochistan. In previous attacks, BLA militants have killed Chinese nationals working in the region and even stormed Beijing’s consulate in Karachi.
Shifting tactics: From guerrilla warfare to suicide bombings
The BLA has displayed its military strength through coordinated strikes on army and naval bases, as seen in 2022. The group has also evolved its tactics, incorporating suicide bombings, including the use of female attackers. A particularly notable instance was the 2022 attack on Chinese nationals at a university campus in Karachi.
The BLA has not only targeted military personnel but also high-profile Chinese officials, including an attack in Gwadar in March last year. Its influence extends beyond Pakistan’s borders, as evidenced by its involvement in cross-border tensions with Iran. Earlier in 2024, BLA-linked violence contributed to an exchange of missile strikes between Iran and Pakistan, briefly escalating tensions.
The BLA has been designated a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2019, the US Department of State added the group to its Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTO) list, citing its repeated attacks on civilians and security forces.
Pakistan has accused foreign intelligence agencies of supporting the BLA, particularly in the context of its strained relations with India and Afghanistan. However, concrete evidence of external sponsorship remains a contentious issue in international discussions.