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According to the statement, the group’s operations target only “the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, intelligence networks, so-called death squads, and their collaborator gangs” inside Balochistan.
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This decision comes right after Asim Munir’s second visit to the US in just two months, a sign of growing military-to-military engagement between the two countries.
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This comes a day after the US State Department on Monday officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO).
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The BLA has been saying for years that members of the province face discrimination and exploitation by the Pakistan government.
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The BLA had already been classified as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group by the US Treasury in 2019 after multiple high-profile terrorist attacks.
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Locals, activists and international observers point to a chilling pattern of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and targeted assassinations, allegedly carried out by shadowy “death squads” backed by the Pakistan Army and ISI.
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In early July, 20 soldiers were killed in twin ambushes elsewhere in Balochistan, also involving disruption of communication systems and carefully coordinated strikes on convoys and posts.
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Trump announced on Truth Social that the US is in the process of selecting an oil company to lead the partnership and even suggested Pakistan might eventually export that oil to India.
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As insurgents escalate their offensive against Pakistani forces in Balochistan, Munir’s rhetoric looks increasingly like a smokescreen for a military that has lost control.
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The BLA specifically claimed responsibility for killing at least 18 Pakistani soldiers in a brazen assault on a military base in Gidar, Suhrab district.
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Pakistan is now witnessing multiple fronts of internal dissent, all fuelled by the same core grievance: the systematic denial of provincial autonomy.
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A suspected suicide bomber attacked a school bus in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, killing four children and two adults. Pakistan blames India for backing the attack, while India rejects the accusations. No group has claimed responsibility yet.
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Experts have opined that despite the rhetoric, romantic comparisons to Bangladesh, and India’s own historical discomfort with Pakistan’s handling of Balochistan, New Delhi has every reason to approach these overtures with extreme caution.
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The roots of Balochistan's call for independence date back to 1948, when the princely state of Kalat, part of present-day Balochistan, was annexed by Pakistan after initially seeking independence following the British exit from the Indian subcontinent.
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The Baloch people have long accused the Pakistani state of systemic marginalization. Despite contributing significantly to the national economy through natural resources like gas and minerals, Balochistan remains underdeveloped, with limited access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
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The BLA stated that the aim of these attacks was not simply the destruction of the enemy but the testing of military coordination, ground control, and defensive positions, as well as the strengthening of readiness for future organised warfare.
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After an audacious train hijack on March 11, the Baloch Liberation Army has continued to target Pakistan’s security personnel through smaller attacks. The country is in the grip of a relentless cycle of violence, with no long-term solution as the polity is subservient to an army which continues to repeat mistakes. Pakistan’s neighbours need to be mindful of a spillover effect
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Balochistan, initially independent, faced annexation when British officials deemed it unfit for self-rule. Despite Jinnah’s initial acceptance, Kalat’s sovereignty was compromised, leading to its eventual forced integration into Pakistan.
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A terrifying hijack unfolded in Pakistan as BLA’s Majeed Brigade seized the Jaffar Express, taking over 180 hostages, including military and intelligence officials. The attack led to intense clashes, with Pakistani forces launching a counter-operation. What was the motive behind this brazen assault? How did the security forces respond? Watch the full report to find out!
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Islamabad-based independent analyst Abdullah Khan told The Associated Press the train hijacking was the worst attack to date by the BLA — and predicted the country will be shocked when the final details surface, including the number of casualties, which he expects to be high.
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Armed militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Jaffar Express Train in Pakistan's Balochistan province, carrying over 400 passengers. The attack occurred in the Sibi district, where the militants bombed the track and stormed the train, claiming control. At least 16 militants were reported killed, and 100 passengers were freed, with 17 injured passengers hospitalized. The militants threatened to kill hostages unless Baloch political prisoners were released within 48 hours. The rescue operation continued, but communication with those on the train was difficult due to the lack of internet and mobile coverage. The BLA, a separatist group seeking Balochistan's independence, has a history of violent attacks. The incident caused panic among passengers, with some hiding under seats, while others managed to escape and walk to safety. The Pakistani government and several Western countries have classified the BLA as a terrorist organization.
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The attack began when the train was fired upon, causing it to become trapped inside a tunnel. Militants took control of the train after exchanging gunfire with security forces, which resulted in the driver being injured.
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The driver was injured, and security personnel onboard engaged in a firefight, but the BLA seized control, claiming to hold over 182 passengers hostages, including military and ISI personnel.
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Militant group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility in a statement to journalists that claimed many more attacks, including one on a major paramilitary base, though Pakistani authorities have yet to confirm these.
