Separatist fighters hijacked a train in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday and held passengers hostage for about 36 hours. The Pakistani military on Wednesday declared that it had ended the crisis with a rescue operation that freed passengers and resulted in the deaths of more than 30 militants.
Here is what to know about the group behind the attack, the Baloch Liberation Army.
What is the B.L.A.?
The Baloch Liberation Army, or B.L.A., is a militant separatist group operating in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province, advocating an independent Baloch state. The group has escalated its attacks in recent years, targeting security forces, infrastructure and foreign investments, particularly from China. The B.L.A.’s operations are part of a broader insurgency that has simmered for decades in one of Pakistan’s most volatile regions.
Who are the Baloch people?
The Baloch people are an ethnic group native to the region spanning Pakistan’s Balochistan Province, southeastern Iran and southern Afghanistan. They have a distinct linguistic, cultural and tribal identity, with their own language, Balochi, which belongs to the Iranian language family.
Historically, the Baloch have maintained a seminomadic and tribal lifestyle, with a deep-rooted tradition of autonomy. Many Baloch nationalists argue that their region has been marginalized by national governments, leading to longstanding grievances over economic deprivation, political exclusion and military repression.
The Pakistani city of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, has been at the center of the conflict. Its strategic location near the Afghan border makes it a key site for trade, governance and security operations.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by land area, covering approximately 44 percent of the country’s total territory. However, it is the least populated province, with only about 6 to 7 percent of Pakistan’s total population.
What are the B.L.A.’s recent attacks?
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A dramatic escalation in the B.L.A.’s tactics came with the hijacking of a passenger train carrying over 400 passengers on Tuesday. The militants forced the train to stop in a remote area, seized hostages and set several cars on fire before security forces intervened.
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A deadly bombing at Quetta’s railway station in November 2024 killed dozens and wounded many others, marking one of the most devastating attacks in Pakistan in recent years. The B.L.A. claimed responsibility, asserting that it was a response to military operations in Balochistan.
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Last year, the B.L.A. claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing targeting a convoy carrying Chinese nationals near the international airport in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.
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In 2022, Shari Baloch, a 30-year-old mother of two children and a schoolteacher, detonated a suicide bomb in Karachi, killing herself and four others, including three Chinese teachers.
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The B.L.A. attacked the building of the Karachi Stock Exchange, which is partly owned by a Chinese consortium, in 2020, and the Chinese Consulate in Karachi in 2018.
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The B.L.A. has repeatedly targeted Chinese workers and engineers involved in projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Attacks have included gunfire, suicide bombings and ambushes on convoys transporting Chinese personnel.
Why does the B.L.A. oppose Chinese investment projects?
The B.L.A. views China’s investments as exploitative and a threat to Baloch autonomy. It has repeatedly attacked Chinese nationals and projects, particularly those linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Balochistan is home to key CPEC infrastructure, such as the Gwadar port. Attacks on Chinese nationals, construction sites and infrastructure projects are intended to disrupt these economic ventures and send a message to Beijing about the costs of involvement in Balochistan. The B.L.A. has framed its campaign as a fight against “colonial-style” economic extraction.
Is the B.L.A. an Islamist group?
No. Unlike many other militant groups operating in Pakistan, the B.L.A. is a secular separatist movement that seeks independence for Balochistan rather than the establishment of an Islamic state. Its ideology is rooted in Baloch nationalism, and its grievances are primarily tied to political autonomy, economic control over local resources and opposition to what it sees as exploitation by the Pakistani state.
When did the conflict begin?
The Balochistan conflict dates back to 1947 when Pakistan gained independence and incorporated Balochistan, a move opposed by many Baloch nationalists. Since then, the region has seen multiple insurgencies, with major uprisings occurring in the 1950s, 1970s and early 2000s.
The most recent insurgency continues today. By 2020, the Baloch insurgency had been greatly weakened by years of counterinsurgency operations, rifts among separatist groups, fatigue and government incentives for the militants to lay down their weapons.
But the intensity and frequency of attacks started rising sharply in 2021. The number of terrorist attacks in Balochistan nearly doubled in 2021 compared to 2020, according to a Pakistani tally.
How has Pakistan responded to the insurgency?
Baloch separatism is just one of the forces threatening the nation’s already tenuous unity and stability; others include violent insurgencies by the Islamic State affiliate known as ISIS-K and the resurgent Pakistani Taliban.
The Pakistani government has responded to the B.L.A. with a mix of military operations and intelligence crackdowns, attempting to dismantle the group’s networks. The country’s security agencies have cracked down on educated Baloch youth, forcibly “disappearing” suspected militants, sometimes for years, without trial, according to news reports, student advocates and human rights groups.
Pakistani officials have also alleged that India has provided covert assistance to Baloch insurgents. The B.L.A. claims to be an independent nationalist movement, relying on its fighters and sympathizers within Balochistan rather than external support.
What are the regional implications of the B.L.A.’s activities?
Balochistan’s insurgency has implications beyond Pakistan’s borders. The province shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, and cross-border movements of militants have raised concerns about broader regional instability. Iran has at times expressed concerns about Baloch separatist activity near its border, while Afghanistan’s shifting political landscape has introduced new variables into Pakistan’s counterinsurgency efforts.
