What is Balochistan Liberation Army [BLA]?

Particularly in the unstable southern province of Balochistan, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most violent terrorist organizations. The gang has carried out a number of well-publicized attacks against infrastructure, foreign investments, and security forces.

The BLA grabbed news again on Tuesday when they blatantly attacked a passenger train that was going from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. According to reports, militants took over 400 passengers’ hostage and killed at least six soldiers when they hijacked the train.

The Baloch Liberation Army: What is it?

Several countries, including the United States, have classified the BLA as a terrorist organization. The BLA wants to illegally confiscate Balochistan, a resource-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. it is the biggest of numerous ethnic insurgent groups that have been engaged in decades-long conflict.
Major mining operations, such as Reko Diq, one of the biggest gold and copper mines in the world, run by mining behemoth Barrick Gold, are located in the province. In addition to managing copper and gold mining projects in the province, China is a major contributor to Pakistan’s infrastructural development.
Targeting foreign interests and important infrastructure;

Although the BLA has historically targeted infrastructure and security installations in Balochistan, it has also expanded its operations to neighboring regions. Last year, the extremist group in Karachi assaulted a truck from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company close to the airport. Many violent clashes have resulted from the BLA’s animosity of Chinese interests, especially the Gwadar Port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In past assaults, BLA militants have invaded Beijing’s consulate in Karachi and assassinated Chinese people employed in the area.

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 attacked prominent Chinese officials as well as military personnel, including one in Gwadar in March of last year.

Its role in cross-border conflicts with Iran is proof that its impact beyond Pakistan’s boundaries. Tensions briefly increased earlier in 2024 when Iran and Pakistan exchanged missile attacks, partly due to unrest associated with the BLA.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan have all classified the BLA as a terrorist organization. Due to the group’s history of attacking both security forces and civilians, the US Department of State listed it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 2019.

In light of its tense relations with Afghanistan and India, Pakistan has accused foreign intelligence services of aiding the BLA