Balochistan Liberation Army
| Balochistan Liberation Army | |
|---|---|
| Participant in Balochistan conflict | |
 Flag of the Baluchistan Liberation Army |
|
| Active | |
| Ideology | Baloch nationalism |
| Leaders | Hyrbyair Marri[1] |
| 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]
- ^ "Nawabzada Hyrbyair Marri | Baloch Leader @ Pakistan Herald". Pakistanherald.com. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
- ^ "All Baloch shouldn`t be tarred with same brush | Latest news, Breaking news, Pakistan News, World news, business, sport and multimedia | DAWN.COM". Archives.dawn.com. 2010-07-25. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
- ^ a b c d "Balochistan Liberation Army". Violent Extremism Knowledge Base. Institute for the Study of Violent Groups.
- ^ "Rockets hit south-west Pakistan". BBC. 14 December 2005.
- ^ Butt, Qaiser (1947-08-14). "Heritage under attack: PkMAP says it views Ziarat Residency as a ‘symbol of slavery’ – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
- ^ By Reuters. "BLA claims attack on Jinnah residency in Ziarat – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
- ^ "India backing Balochistan Liberation Army: Rehman Malik". Asian Tribune. 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
- ^ "Militant Islamist groups banned under terror law", Richard Ford, The Times, 18 July 2006
- ^ Chapter 2 -- Country Reports: South and Central Asia Overview Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, April 30, 2007[dead link]
- ^ "Terrorist Organization Profile - START - National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism". Start.umd.edu. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
- ^ "BLA claims attack on Jinnah residency in Ziarat". The Express Tribune. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
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