Balochistan Liberation Army

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Baloch Freedom Fighters, preparing BM-12 rockets to attack Pakistani army position in Kohlu-Kahan region winter 2006.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is an organisation dedicated to fighting for the independence of Balochistan. At the moment, sovereignty over the region is split between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The indigenous population are known as the Baloch, who typically follow the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam and speak either Balochi or Brahui. The stated goals of the organization include driving the Pakistani and Iranian military personnel currently present in the territory out, and the establishment of a sovereign Baloch government. The name Baloch Liberation Army first became public in summer 2000, after the organisation claimed credit for a series of bomb attacks. In 2006, the BLA was declared to be a terrorist organisation by the Pakistani and British governments.^{[citation needed]}

1 Critics of the Baloch Liberation Army
2 Actions by the Baloch Liberation Army
3 External links
4 References

[edit] Critics of the Baloch Liberation Army

Baloch means the Baloch people, the languages of the Baloch and their culture. Some believe that 50% percent of fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army members belong from Marri tribe and the rest is other Balochs from all over Balochistan. Here we must bear in mind that Baloch society consists of tens of tribes and Marri tribe is one of them. Regarding the leadership of the BLA no one knows that who heads this calendestine network of Baloch guerillas. Some believe that Mir Balach Marri, son of Baloch tribal leader Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, is the head of the BLA but Balach said he knows of the BLA but he is not their chief, and he supports them morally and physically. Balach Marri survived an attack by Pakistani special forces(SSG) on 26th August 2006, in which another well-known Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed. Balach Marri, and the grandsons of Akbar Khan Bugti, Brahamdagh Khan Bugti and Mir Aley are alive.

Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was buried at Dera Bugti in a private ceremony.^[1]

On the 17th of July 2006, the British Home Office added the BLA to the list of terrorist organizations banned in the United Kingdom.^[2]

[edit] Actions by the Baloch Liberation Army

Baloch students spitting on the picture of jinnah founder of punjab/pakistan after Akbar khan and his friends were killed in Balochistan on 26th August 2006.

May, 2000: The orginasation claimed credit for three bombings of government facilities, including the office of the Home Secretary in Pakistani Balochistan.^{[citation needed]}
June, 2000: A number of bombs were detonated by BLA terrorists in the commercial district of Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistani Balochistan, an area often frequented by the Pakistani military personnel. The explosions resulted in the deaths of 26 soldiers and 5 civilians, and the wounding of many others.^{[citation needed]}
July, 2000: Fifteen 82-mm mortar shells were fired from the Koh-i-Murdar mountain range near Quetta, targeting the city's military garrison. No official casualty report was issued by the Pakistani military to the press in Balochistan. Pakistani army garrison at Quetta is blocked by check ponts no civilian can enter it, it is a big area almost 10 Sq miles.
Numerous deaths of Pakistani soldiers have resulted from landmines planted by BLA.^[3]

Date 18-8-06.Asaap,http://asaappublications.com , newspaper reported that on Thursday 17 August Pakistani army was conducting a search operation against BLA fighters 12 kilometers away from Karmo Wadh, near Sibi. At the time of operation Pakistani forces came under heavy barrage of rocket fire from Baloch fighters, in which three Pakistani soldiers were killed and seven became wounded. Names of the killed soldiers who died on the spot are NCO Amjad Ali, NCO Tasawer Hussen and NCO Matloob Hussen. Names of the critically wounded soldiers: Major Qaiser, Hawaldar Anser, Corporal Mudser Hussen, NCO Majid Hussen, NCO Ishfaq Ahmed, NCO Janzeb and NCO Ashraf, all the wounded were shifted to CMH (Combined Military Hospital) Hospital Sibi. In an other such incident 40 kilometers away from Sangsila at Bambore-Top, Dera Bugti area. When Pakistani soldiers were digging trenches on Bambore-Top suddenly a landmine blasted with a big bang. In which Naib Subedar Kashmir Afridi and NCO Abdul Khaliq Afridi died on the spot, and five soldiers were critically wounded (names of the wounded were not confirmed).

Note: Bambore is a mountain located in the east of Sibi and north of Dera Bugti. Top is an English word used by Pakistani army.

News, 25,August,2006. Four tribal militants were killed on Friday as security forces used helicopter gunships to launch another operation in parts of Kohlu district. Two members of the security forces were also killed while an officer was injured. Reports reaching here from Kohlu said the security forces moved in to Karmo Wadh and Tartani areas near Kahan and used helicopter gunships to attack militants? hideouts. The operation was launched two days ago, they added.

Militants have also claimed inflicting big losses on the security forces. Azad Baloch, a spokesman for the banded Balochistan Liberation Army, told newsmen at the Quetta Press Club on telephone from an unknown place that armed militants were resisting the attacks. He claimed that over a dozen security personnel had been killed and many others injured in the area. He also claimed killing FC men in a landmine explosion in Kamo Wadh area. However, official sources did not confirm any casualties to the security forces. News from, http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/26/top9.htm"

[edit] External links

Chris Zambelis, "Violence and Rebellion in Iranian Balochistan," Jamestown Foundation Terrorism Monitor, Volume 4, Issue 13, June 29, 2006.
http://www.balochvoice.com A Baloch website transmitting the news about the actions of Baloch Liberation Army.
http://www.radiobalochi.org First ever free Baloch radio, broadcasting from Stockholm., Sweden. News in Balochi and Brahui.
http://www.balochpeople.com Balochistan People's Party's website.
http://www.balochwarna.org Baloch waran. Warna means youth in Balochi and Brahui.
http://www.sarmachar.org Some information about BLF.
http://www.balochunity.org Dr.Marri's website from Moscow, Russia.