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) |
| Opponents |  Pakistan Iran |
| Battles/wars | Balochistan Conflict |
The Balochistan Liberation Army (also Baloch Liberation Army or Balochistan Liberation Army) (BLA) are a separatist[4] militant group based in Balochistan, a mountainous region of Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army became publicly known during the summer of 2000, after it claimed credit for a series of bombings of attacks on Pakistani authorities in response to the alleged mistreatment and neglect of the Baloch province in Pakistan.
The group is currently headed by Hyrbyair Marri and has an estimated strength of 500 fighters.[3]
Declaration as a terrorist organisation [edit]
The 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 per the Terrorism Act 2000.[5] As a result of this designation, any person associated with the organization is barred from entering the United Kingdom.[6] The group's actions have also been described as terrorism by the United States Department of State.[7]
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.pakistanherald.com/newprofile.aspx?hofid=1134
- ^ http://archives.dawn.com/archives/42906
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Militant Islamist groups banned under terror law", Richard Ford, Timesonline, 18 July 2006
- ^ "British Home Office: Proscribed terror groups"
- ^ Chapter 2 -- Country Reports: South and Central Asia Overview Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, April 30, 2007
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