Who Are the Balochi Rebels and What Is Their Long-Standing Demand?- wna24
Who Are the Balochi Rebels and What Is Their Long-Standing Demand? | Image:
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New Delhi: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, on Tuesday, claimed responsibility for an attack on a passenger train in southwestern Pakistan, taking numerous hostages, including security personnel.
The attack took place in Balochistan’s Bolan district while the Jafar Express was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The BLA insurgents opened fire on the train, injuring the driver and prompting security forces aboard the train to return fire. The train eventually halted in a remote area, and reinforcements were sent to the scene. The BLA took responsibility for the assault, and while the situation was uncertain, the Pakistan Army dispatched a relief train with soldiers and medical staff to assist.
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At the time of the attack, the train was carrying around 400 passengers. Due to the history of separatist attacks on trains in Balochistan, trains in the region are typically escorted by security forces. After the hijacking, the Baloch rebels released Baloch passengers, including women and children, while holding on to the others, including the security personnel.
Who are the Pakistani Baloch Rebels?
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is one of the most powerful insurgent groups operating in Balochistan, a resource-rich region bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
The BLA is the largest of several ethnic insurgent groups that have fought against Pakistan’s federal government for decades. These insurgents argue that the government exploits the province’s natural gas and mineral resources for national gain, with little benefit for the local Baloch people.
The terrorists are fighting for control over these resources, which they claim rightfully belong to their people. The mountainous border region of Balochistan has also become a haven for both Baloch insurgents and Islamist militants.
What Are the BLA’s Demands?
The BLA has consistently demanded an independent Baloch state, citing the unfair exploitation of the region’s wealth. The group has carried out numerous attacks on Pakistani forces and infrastructure and has targeted Chinese nationals, accusing them of profiting from the region’s resources. Forced disappearances and ethnic profiling are also major grievances driving their calls for independence. A 2024 UN report highlighted that Balochistan has seen thousands of enforced disappearances, further fueling the insurgency.
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How Has It Become More Lethal?
The BLA has increasingly used more sophisticated tactics, including deploying female suicide bombers, as seen in attacks on Chinese nationals in Karachi and a bombing in southwest Balochistan. The group’s actions shocked Pakistan’s security forces in 2022 when they stormed military bases.
A new initiative by a BLA splinter group, BLA (AZAD), has revived activity, further escalating the insurgency. In recent developments, various Baloch factions have come together to form a unified military structure, enhancing their capacity for coordinated attacks.
The BLA primarily targets infrastructure and security forces in Balochistan but has expanded its operations into other regions, including Karachi. Key targets include Pakistan’s army and Chinese interests, particularly in Gwadar, a vital strategic port.
The BLA accuses China of enabling Pakistan’s exploitation of Balochistan’s resources, and its attacks have killed Chinese citizens and targeted Beijing’s consulate in Karachi. The group’s actions also led to tensions between Pakistan and Iran, with both nations accusing each other of harboring militants from the BLA.
Why is Balochistan Important?
Balochistan holds strategic importance for both Pakistan and China. The region is integral to China’s $65 billion investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a key element of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. Balochistan is rich in resources, with significant mining operations, including the Reko Diq gold and copper project. Despite these investments, the region remains unstable due to the ongoing insurgency, which has raised security concerns.
The insurgency has created significant unrest in a province with a population of around 15 million, leading to protests against alleged human rights abuses by security forces.