The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is a prominent separatist militant group operating primarily in the Balochistan region of Pakistan. The group emerged in the early 2000s as part of the broader Baloch nationalist movement, which seeks greater autonomy or independence for the Baloch people.
The movement has its roots in the 1940s, following Balochistan’s accession to Pakistan in 1948, which many Baloch consider to have been involuntary. The BLA argues that the Baloch people are economically marginalized and exploited by the Pakistani government, which they claim has failed to provide adequate benefits from the region’s rich natural resources, including gas and minerals.
The BLA is known for conducting high-profile attacks against Pakistani security forces, infrastructure, and foreign interests, particularly targeting Chinese projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The group’s operations are often coordinated with other separatist factions under coalitions like the Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), which aims to unify various Baloch militant groups under a single military structure.
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The BLA’s tactics have evolved over time, incorporating strategies such as targeting soft targets and deploying suicide bombers, similar to those used by the Pakistani Taliban.
The demand for a separate nation is driven by the perception of discrimination and exploitation by the central government. Many Baloch feel that their region is underdeveloped despite its vast resources, and they resent the influx of outsiders, particularly Punjabis, who are seen as benefiting from economic opportunities at the expense of locals.
The BLA’s goal is to establish an independent Baloch state encompassing parts of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, which they believe would allow the Baloch people to control their own resources and destiny.
However, the group’s activities are considered terrorist acts by several countries, including Pakistan, the UK, and the US.
News18 Report
Agencies
