Balochistan Liberation Army

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Balochistan Liberation Army
Participant in Balochistan conflict
Flag of the Balochistan Liberation Army.svg
Flag of the Baluchistan Liberation Army
Active
Ideology Baloch nationalism
Leaders Hyrbyair Marri[1]

Khair Bakhsh Marri[2]

Area of
operations
Balochistan, Pakistan
Afghanistan[3]
Strength 500[3]
Allies Baloch Liberation Front, Baloch Republican Army, Lashkar-e-Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation United Front, BSO (Azad),  India (Alleged)
Opponents  Pakistan
 Iran
Battles/wars Balochistan Conflict

The Balochistan Liberation Army (also Baloch Liberation Army or Balochistan Liberation Army) (BLA) is a separatist[4] militant group based in Balochistan, a mountainous region of western Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army became publicly known during the summer of 2000, after it claimed credit for a series of bombing attacks on Pakistani authorities.[5][6]

The group is currently headed by Hyrbyair Marri and has an estimated strength of 500 fighters.[3]

Contents

History[edit]

Foreign support[edit]

Pakistani authorities allege that BLA is funded by the government of India.[7] The former Interior Minister of Pakistan, Rehman Malik said that, "BLA was raised and funded by Russia during Soviet-Afghan war when Pakistan was supporting Afghans and now India is backing its activities."

Designation as a terrorist organisation[edit]

Balochistan Liberation Army was declared a terrorist organisation in Pakistan in April 2006, after a series of attacks conducted by the group targeting security personnel, civilians and journalists.[3] On 17 July 2006, the government of the United Kingdom listed the BLA as a "proscribed group" based on the Terrorism Act 2000.[8] The group's actions have been described as terrorism by the United States Department of State;[9] however, BLA itself has not been declared as a terrorist organization either by US or EU.[10]

Claimed attacks[edit]

Quaid-e-Azam Residency[edit]

  • The Quaid-e-Azam Residency, a historical residence in Balochistan where Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent the last days of his life, was attacked by rockets on 15 June 2013. The building was heavily demolished as a result of the attack. Militants belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility. The militants also removed the flag of Pakistan from the monument site, replacing it with a BLA flag.[11]

References[edit]