By Aishma Gul
“Peace in Balochistan is peace for Pakistan.” The importance of peace in Pakistan’s largest and most resource-rich province is highlighted by this principle. Once home to dreams of development, Balochistan is currently experiencing deadly conflict from organizations such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which claims to defend Baloch rights but often brings hardship to its people. As BLA actions disrupt essential infrastructure, security, and livelihoods across the region, Pakistan’s authorities intensify their efforts to restore stability, targeting both the on-ground militants and their expanding online influence.
Balochistan Liberation Movement: Origins and Objectives
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), one of Balochistan’s primary rebel groups, was founded in the early 2000s to establish an independent Baloch state. Using economic hardship, political exclusion, and perceived state repression as justifications for their violent battle, this group has consistently taken advantage of the local populace’s problems. However, the BLA’s attitude frequently contradicts its promises to advocate for the people. For example, despite its claim to safeguard Balochistan’s interests, the BLA frequently targets infrastructure projects including roads, schools, and development efforts that could benefit the Baloch people.
Majeed Brigade, a known suicide attack team of the BLA, killed civilians and security personnel, in a coordinated sequence of attacks across Balochistan on August 26, 2024. These attacks, which were carefully timed to coincide with the anniversary of Akbar Bugti, a prominent Baloch nationalist leader who was assassinated in 2006, increased the level of unrest in the area. In 2024 alone, 41% of Pakistan’s terrorism-related fatalities occurred in Balochistan, demonstrating the intensity of the insurgency.
Women’s Involvement in the BLA
Women have taken more active roles in the BLA, indicating a strategic shift in the organization’s attitude. Verified records reveal that women were involved in several incidents, including the April 2022 suicide bombing at Karachi University, which killed three Chinese teachers. This technique attracts media attention and broadens the group’s appeal among young Baloch women, demonstrating the BLA’s attempts to diversify its terrorist operations.
BLA’s Use of Social Media
The BLA widely uses social media, especially sites like Rumble, WhatsApp, and Telegram, to recruit new members and disseminate propaganda. It is more difficult to control because, according to verified data, more than 90% of its content is shared in regional languages. BLA uses digital platforms to spread its message, reaching young audiences while avoiding traditional media restrictions.
Impact of Regional Instability and Foreign Involvement
The complicated geopolitical environment around Balochistan, which is bounded by Afghanistan and Iran, makes matters more difficult. Based on reports, the BLA works across these boundaries, providing protection and enabling assaults inside Pakistan. The group’s access to modern weapons, like M4 rifles and equipment made in the US, improves its fighting skills even more. Following the Taliban’s 2021 seizure of US military hardware left in Afghanistan, these supplies are thought to have made their way into the region. Additionally, reports point to Indian involvement, with Pakistani intelligence claiming that India’s RAW gives BLA members money and logistical support.
Baloch youth, many of whom experience poverty, limited education, and high unemployment, are the focus of the BLA’s recruitment campaign. Around 65% of Balochistan’s population is under the age of 30, making them a vulnerable demographic for the BLA’s claims of identity and autonomy. Many BLA leaders and fighters are former professionals or university students who have become disillusioned by socio-economic challenges.
Escalating Attacks and the Military’s Response
The security situation in Balochistan has reached a critical stage, with a noticeable increase in attacks on military personnel. In response, Pakistan’s armed forces have escalated their operations. Just recently, on Wednesday, security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation in the Kech district’s Balgatar area. During the operation, four terrorists were killed, including a high-value BLA target. This operation is part of a larger, proactive strategy, initiated with the collaboration of Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti.
The military’s measures also target the BLA’s digital propaganda network, with a focus on intelligence sharing. The BLA uses platforms like Telegram and Rumble to post updates regularly, encouraging potential recruits and demoralizing opponents. Pakistan’s security forces are striving to combat this digital presence by monitoring and neutralizing propaganda networks. However, linguistic hurdles exist, as BLA propaganda is largely written in regional languages like as Balochi and Brahvi, complicating efforts by technological companies to filter or prevent harmful content.
Civilian Impact and International Concerns
The attacks by the BLA are not limited to the military; civilians frequently find themselves in the crossfire. The BLA’s largest attack to date involved the stopping of a passenger bus, where BLA operatives executed 23 passengers, many of whom were from Punjab. This tragedy starkly highlights the organization’s indiscriminate approach, questioning its mission to “protect” Baloch’s interests. Just recently, 26 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a railway station in Quetta, with the BLA claiming responsibility.
International attention has been drawn to Balochistan’s security and stability in the face of these persistent difficulties. Balochistan is currently the site of multiple China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, hence the stability of the province is crucial from both an economic and strategic standpoint. Given that the BLA has allegedly worked with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on several occasions, the insurgency threatens not only Pakistan’s national interests but also regional peace.
Preparing for a Major Operation
According to reports, Pakistani authorities have approved a massive operation to destroy terrorist bases in response to these security issues. The Chief of Army Staff, the Interior Ministry, and the provincial leadership of Balochistan are among the important state stakeholders who have worked together to develop a comprehensive plan. This broad strategy seeks to eliminate terrorist organizations not only in Balochistan but also, if required, beyond the borders of Afghanistan and Iran. In the past, Pakistan’s Air Force has attacked terrorist centers in Afghanistan and Iran; this strategy might be used again in the upcoming missions.
A Path Forward for Lasting Peace
While military actions are essential for immediate security, sustainable peace in Balochistan will require addressing the root causes of insurgency—poverty, lack of education, and economic deprivation. As Pakistan’s security forces continue to combat the BLA’s violent tactics, equal attention must be given to social reforms that provide the youth with opportunities, reducing their susceptibility to militant propaganda.
History shows that only a balanced policy that combines security and socioeconomic development can bring about long-term peace in Balochistan, ensuring a future of stability and progress for its residents.