Lashkar-e-Balochistan
| Lashkar-e-Balochistan | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Javed Mengal[1] |
| Active regions | Balochistan, Pakistan Afghanistan |
| Ideology | Baloch nationalism |
| Status | Active |
| Allies | Baloch Liberation Front, Baloch Republican Army, Baloch Liberation Army , Balochistan Liberation United Front, BSO (Azad) |
| Opponents |  Pakistan |
| Battles and wars | Balochistan War 5 |
Lashkar-e-Balochistan (also LeB) is a separatist-militant group based in Balochistan, a mountainous region of Pakistan which strives to for independence from Pakistan. The LeB became publicly known in 2012 after it claimed responsibility for several bombings in Lahore, Karachi and Quetta, killing several people and injuring many more.[3][4]
The organization is an off-shoot of the Baloch Liberation Army and operates in far flung areas of Pakistani Balochistan. It currently headed by Javed Mengal, the son of Sardar Ataullah Mengal.[1] Khan Baloch is the spokesman of the group.[5]
Lashkar-e-Balochistan is believed to have several camps in Balochistan as well as in Afghanistan.[6]
Command structure
Lashkar-e-Balochistan is divided into battalions, each consisting of 20 guerillas and led by its own battalion commander. Every battalion commander works under LeB Chief Commander Javed Mengal.[2][7]
Designation as terrorist organization
In August 2012, LeB was designated as a terrorist group by the Government of Pakistan.[8] Internationally, it has been officially designated as a terrorist group by the Home Office of the government of the United Kingdom. As a result of this designation, any person associated with the organization is barred from entering the United Kingdom.[9]
Allegations of foreign support
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of supporting the Baloch militant groups in order to destabilize the country. [10] India has however categorically denied the allegations on its part, stating that no concrete evidence has been provided.[11]
References
- ^ a b "Butchering settlers on Independence day".
- ^ a b "A meeting with Lashkar-e-Balochistan".
- ^ "Lashkar-e-Balochistan claim responsibility for Lahore blast". The News Tribe. 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "Lashkar-e-Balochistan claims responsibility of Karachi blast". Pakistan Today. 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "'We did Lahore Station blast'". Saach News.
- ^ "Over 30 training camps in Afghanistan fuelling Balochistan unrest: IG FC". Dawn News.
- ^ "Analysis of Mengal visit". Pakistan Defence.
- ^ "14 militant outfits operating in Balochistan, says ministry". The Nation. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "PROSCRIBED TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS". Home Office, United Kingdom.
- ^ "'Pak has evidence about India's involvement in Balochistan'". October 21, 2009. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
- ^ "India welcomes ban on terrorist organisations in Pakistan. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.