Quetta : GHAG Special Report
The Majeed Brigade, a militant faction of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has been at the forefront of violent separatist activities in Pakistan, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. Established in 2010 by commander Aslam Baloch, the group is named after Majeed, a political activist from the 1970s who attempted to attack the then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Quetta.
Since its inception, the Majeed Brigade has reportedly carried out around 100 attacks, including 16 known suicide bombings, often targeting high-profile Pakistani and Chinese interests. A significant attack on the Quetta railway station, which left numerous casualties, was claimed by the group. For this attack, the BLA released an image of Mohammad Rafiq Bizenjo, the alleged suicide bomber responsible, which was broadcast by media outlets worldwide.
The group’s founding has connections to personal tragedy and a legacy of violence. Aslam Baloch, the founder, lost his son, Rehan Aslam Baloch, in a 2018 suicide bombing in Chagai, a critical point that brought additional attention to the group’s violent methods and radical ideology. Aslam Baloch’s continued influence and ability to evade Pakistani authorities has made him a prominent figure within Balochistan’s separatist circles, with the Balochistan government previously announcing his death on multiple occasions, none of which were confirmed.
The Majeed Brigade’s operations, according to analysts, serve a dual purpose: to advance the goals of Baloch separatism and to destabilize critical cooperative projects between China and Pakistan, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). To achieve these aims, the group has intensified attacks on CPEC-related infrastructure and personnel, including workers at Gwadar Port. The group’s profile rose internationally after it assaulted a major hotel in Gwadar in May 2019, which led to the deaths of several Chinese officials and engineers. Since then, Karachi has also become a target, with 21 attacks, including four suicide bombings, reported in the city, mostly against Chinese and Pakistani workers associated with joint projects.
The organization’s methods have evolved, with women increasingly taking active roles, including as suicide bombers, in recent attacks. Reports indicate that six attacks have been carried out by female operatives in the past two years alone. The Majeed Brigade’s estimated strength is around 3,000 fighters, many of whom reportedly receive training in Afghanistan, where some commanders are believed to operate with logistical and financial support from abroad. Investigations have suggested that the group is backed by funding from the United Kingdom, India and possibly other Western countries, notably the United States, which some experts say is part of an effort to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region.
The Majeed Brigade is said to share operational tactics with other banned groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and there is speculation that both groups have supported each other. Indian media, as well as independent analysts, have labeled the BLA and its military wing as dangerous proxies working to destabilize Pakistan. The increasing use of sophisticated tactics and the engagement of female operatives highlight the Majeed Brigade’s strategic shift toward a more diverse and flexible form of militancy, marking it as one of Pakistan’s most persistent and evolving security challenges.