By: Hassamuddin
The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which the state has declared a faction of the Kharijites, is active in carrying out terrorist activities in Balochistan. It predominantly consists of members from the Marri and Bugti tribes. The group opposes foreign projects, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and also targets security forces, police, law enforcement agencies, and government buildings in the province.
A significant difference between the BLA and other militant groups in the region, such as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, lies in its organizational structure. The BLA heavily relies on its “Majeed Brigade,” which is the organization’s primary combat unit. This brigade is involved in attacks against the Pakistani government and its security forces, as well as engaging in armed resistance.
The BLA’s main objective is to gain greater autonomy for Balochistan. The organization believes that the natural resources of Balochistan belong solely to the Baloch people, but the state is exploiting them by taking full control, thereby oppressing the local population. The BLA strongly opposes foreign projects, especially CPEC, as it views these initiatives as contributing to the further exploitation of Balochistan’s resources and the violation of the rights of the Baloch people.
Despite severe actions taken by security forces, the BLA continues its militant activities and has been responsible for several major attacks on security forces and infrastructure projects in Balochistan. According to BLA sources, the organization has over 3,000 members.
Similarity Between BLA and Baloch Unity Committee
Dr. Mah Rang Baloch is the central organizer and active member of the Baloch Unity Committee (BYC), and she is also actively protesting in various areas of Balochistan with banners displaying the pictures of missing persons.
On March 21, 2025, security forces and police conducted a joint operation and raided a residential house on Sariab Road in Quetta. During the raid, they arrested a key suspect involved in the killing of three individuals during a recent BYC protest. Police sources told The Khyber Chronicles that the arrested suspect confessed in preliminary investigations that the central leadership of BYC had instructed him to open fire during the protest to create a provocative environment and use the bodies to pressure state institutions. According to the police, the suspect’s statement will be presented to the media under legal proceedings to expose the true facts and end propaganda.
It is noteworthy that three people were killed and several others were injured during the BYC protest. New evidence has confirmed that the gunfire came from within the protesters, and law enforcement agencies are continuing operations to arrest more suspects. A comprehensive investigation has also been initiated into the role of the BYC leadership.
According to security sources, after the BLA attack on the Jaffer Express train, security forces killed 33 terrorists, most of whose photographs had been displayed by Dr. Mah Rang Baloch during protests and sit-ins as missing persons. This indicates that most of the missing persons of the BYC have joined the BLA.
Who Was Dr. Mah Rang Baloch’s Father?
Dr. Mah Rang Baloch, the central organizer and leader of the Baloch Unity Committee (BYC), is the daughter of Abdul Ghaffar Langu, who worked for WAPDA and was also an active member of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). He was first arrested in 2006 but was released after some time. In 2009, he went missing again and was killed in 2011 during a security forces operation against the BLA. Dr. Mah Rang Baloch’s father was a leader of the BLA and was involved in multiple attacks on state institutions, insurgency, and terrorism.
Audio Leaks During the BYC Protest
Several audio tapes have been leaked during the ongoing protest led by Dr. Mah Rang Baloch, revealing that she was provided millions of rupees to organize the protest against Pakistan. However, she has failed to achieve her objectives so far. According to a professor at Balochistan University, after Dr. Mah Rang Baloch’s protest, many students have abandoned their academic activities. When questioned about their absence, videos from BLA’s militant camps emerge, showing these students receiving training in the mountains to fight against the state.
Majid Brigade:
The late BLA leader Aslam Achu founded the organization’s suicide squad, naming it the “Majid Brigade.” This brigade carried out its first suicide attack in December 2011. Later, due to a lack of financial resources and new recruits, the Majid Brigade became inactive, and the organization took seven years to carry out its second suicide attack, which occurred in August 2018 when a bus carrying Chinese engineers was targeted in Dalbandin. Bashir Zeb, a close associate of Aslam Achu and the former chairman of the Baloch Students Organization Azad (BSO-Azad), is not only the head of BLA but also the commander of the Majid Brigade.
Sources confirm that it is an open secret that the Majid Brigade is a branch of BLA. The Majid Brigade has six wings:
Financial Support Wing:
This wing is responsible for collecting financial resources for the organization from individuals residing abroad.
Propaganda Wing:
The task of this wing is to establish a positive reputation for BLA among the public and persuade young people to join the organization.
Tactical Wing:
This wing is responsible for providing strategy and assistance to suicide bombers, though it has also participated in direct attacks on security forces over the past year. The three main and core wings are as follows:
Logistics Wing:
This wing is responsible for purchasing vehicles for the organization, which are used by various wing commanders and key members. It is also tasked with selecting or recruiting drivers for the members and providing authorized members with vehicles and drivers. The wing also handles the maintenance of vehicles, transporting individuals to training areas, and, most importantly, ensuring the safe transport of suicide bombers or other attackers to the desired location.
Sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, informed Khyber Chronicles that the Majid Brigade has 9 vehicles, including cars and 4×4 jeeps, for various tasks. If the BLA faces a specific mission, it is the responsibility of this wing to provide the necessary vehicles for the mission.
The Logistics Wing is responsible for arranging vehicles for attacks. Sometimes, this wing purchases vehicles under fake names or obtains stolen vehicles from remote areas or cities, removing all identification marks and registration numbers. This is particularly the case when a member is sent on a suicide mission, and these vehicles are never used for any other purpose. When questioned about the number of members working in the Logistics Wing, sources revealed that the number of members fluctuates based on the circumstances. Meanwhile, Bizgar Khan is the head of the Logistics Wing of the Majid Brigade.
Who is Bazgar Khan?
Bazgar Khan, approximately forty years old, is a senior fighter of the BLA (Baloch Liberation Army). He was one of the most trusted and close associates of Aslam Baloch. He assisted Aslam Baloch during the formation of the Mujahid Brigade and currently leads the logistics unit of the Mujahid Brigade. Bazgar Khan is fluent in Urdu, Balochi, Brahui, and also speaks broken English.
Intelligence Wing:
This wing holds great importance within the Mujahid Brigade due to its special responsibilities. The wing, with approval and advice from the commander of the Mujahid Brigade and the supreme commander of the BLA, selects the targets for attacks. Target selection depends on its political and international significance. When the BLA chooses a target based on political or international importance, the Intelligence Wing is responsible for gathering all necessary information about that target. This includes the target’s biography, home and office timings, details of their employment and workplaces, times of travel between home and office, and full details about their family, relatives, and connections. In short, the Intelligence Wing is responsible for collecting all possible details about the target.
This wing consists of permanent members skilled in espionage. Trained and expert members are responsible for training new recruits. Most of the members of this wing are highly trained and use pseudonyms. Many of them are not allowed to appear in front of other BLA members or reveal their affiliation with the Intelligence Wing.
Security Wing:
This wing is kept highly secretive for security reasons. The members of this group use specific codes for communication. According to sources, the members of this wing are trained to work under various circumstances and generally operate in groups of four to eight individuals. Members of this group are not allowed to attend the organization’s regular meetings, and their contact is limited only to their commander. The exact number of members in this wing is not known, but it is estimated that around 50 to 70 individuals work in this wing across different cities in Balochistan and Sindh. This wing also keeps a close watch on other BLA and Mujahid Brigade members and provides reports to the wing commander.
Operational Wing:
The operational wing is the most important and fundamental wing of the Mujahid Brigade. The success of the BLA largely depends on this wing. Initially, the BLA’s strategy was based on “hit and run,” but now, due to the actions of this operational wing, the strategy has shifted towards suicide attacks. This wing not only recruits suicide bombers but also provides them with training. The head of the operational wing is very close to the commander of the Mujahid Brigade and receives direct orders from the supreme commander of the BLA.
According to BLA sources, the number of members in the operational wing is increasing. Initially, only a few people were part of this group, but now more than 250 suicide bombers and other fighters, including women, are part of the Mujahid Brigade. Of the approximately 50 female suicide bombers, 23 are ready for attacks, while the remaining women are being trained in close combat, fighting against each other, laying mines, and other necessary combat skills. The responsibility of target selection also lies with this wing. The target for an attack is determined only after the agreement of the head of the Mujahid Brigade and the supreme commander of the BLA.
Captain Rahman Gul (Alias Ustaad Mureed):
Captain Rahman Gul is the head and primary trainer of the suicide squad of the Mujahid Brigade. The 38-year-old Captain Rahman Gul hails from the Killi Mengal area of the Nushki district. He studied in his district for 14 years and speaks Balochi, Urdu, Brahui, and English.
Rahman Gul is a close and old friend of the central commander of the Mujahid Brigade, Bashir Zeb Baloch. He is considered the second most important commander in the BLA and Mujahid Brigade after Bashir Zeb. After Bashir Zeb’s recent death in the security forces’ operation following the attack on the Jafar Express train, Captain Rahman Gul was considered the most powerful figure in the BLA.
The commanders of all the wings received orders from Bashir Zeb, who had the final authority to approve or reject any target. Before carrying out any attack or plan, the approval of Bashir Zeb was required, after which discussions would take place with the operational commander.
The Life and Leadership of Bashir Zeb Baloch:
Bashir Zeb Baloch, 40, came from a middle-class background. After the death of former BLA leader Aslam Achu on December 26, 2018, in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, the senior command council of the BLA and the operational core committee appointed Bashir Zeb as the operational head and supreme commander of the BLA. Bashir Zeb Baloch completed his early education in Nushki, then graduated from Quetta’s Degree College, followed by a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic College in Quetta.
In 2008, he enrolled for a Master’s in Baloch literature. From 2007 to 2012, he served as the chairman of the Baloch Student Organization Azad (BSO-A). However, due to his involvement in anti-Pakistan activities, he was banned from entering the university, and the police made several attempts to arrest him. In March 2013, the government imposed a ban on BSO-A. Following this ban, many members of the BSO-A joined terrorist organizations, marking the beginning of a new era of terrorism. Bashir Zeb joined the BLA in 2012, and most of his associates also followed him to the same organization. Bashir Zeb Baloch was fluent in English, Urdu, Balochi, and Brahui.
Funding of the Majeed Brigade
In reality, not only does the Majeed Brigade collect funds, but the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) also gathers financial resources for all its operations. However, a major portion of this fund is specifically allocated for the armed fighters, suicide bombers, and training members of the operational wing of the Majeed Brigade.
The BLA receives financial support from across the world, particularly from countries where Baloch separatists and expatriates reside. According to sources, most of the BLA’s supporters live in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, and they provide substantial support to the organization. These people mostly send money to the BLA through illegal channels, which is why the Hawala and Hundi systems are most prevalent among the Baloch.
These illegal financial sources help the BLA evade scrutiny of its funding, making it difficult for authorities to trace their financial network. Furthermore, Baloch separatists living abroad not only provide financial assistance but also play a key role in spreading the BLA’s ideology and recruiting new members for the organization.
Another major source of funds for the BLA is drug trafficking, and at times, they are also involved in arms smuggling. The BLA is fully involved in smuggling drugs from Afghanistan to Pakistan and Iran through illegal and covert routes. This illegal trade not only generates heavy financial resources for the BLA but also strengthens their network.
The BLA’s involvement in drug smuggling gives them influence in the region and also strengthens the organization financially. Additionally, their involvement in arms smuggling provides them with modern weapons and ammunition, boosting their ability to carry out violent attacks and destabilize the region.
The third major source of funding for the BLA is illegal tax collection, particularly a 200% tax on coal mines, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom of various individuals, especially government employees and business figures.
The BLA never pardons individuals involved in informing or surveillance against them. According to sources, the BLA kills those who spy against them. The BLA’s illegal activities are not limited to raising funds; they also kill suspected spies or individuals providing information to government agencies.
Support from Anti-Pakistan Agencies
Credible sources confirm that Pakistan’s sensitive agencies possess concrete evidence proving that hostile countries’ intelligence agencies are active in destabilizing Pakistan, particularly to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Various extremist organizations, including the BLA, are receiving billions of dollars in financial assistance for this purpose. In addition, intelligence agencies from hostile countries are providing the BLA with weapons and training to enable them to carry out more organized operations to spread chaos in Pakistan.
Weapons of the Majeed Brigade
The Majeed Brigade is equipped with modern and dangerous weapons, and they have access to several high-grade military weapons, which they have used in various attacks. These weapons include anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, hand grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), various types of automatic weapons, and BM-12, 107mm, and 109mm rockets.
In addition, the Majeed Brigade’s fighters are skilled in using these weapons, which makes their operations more effective and dangerous.
Modern Weapons and Equipment of the Majeed Brigade
The Majeed Brigade uses modern explosive materials like C4 to make suicide vests. Furthermore, this brigade is equipped with night vision goggles and possesses M4 rifles and sniper rifles. Often, this group prefers using the latest American-made rifles and other ammunition. The use of modern explosives and equipment further enhances the Majeed Brigade’s capability for covert operations and allows them to effectively fight at night.
By using American weapons and ammunition, the Majeed Brigade ensures that their fighters are equipped with modern, reliable, and powerful weapons to achieve success on the battlefield.
The Fatah Squad and Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS) are considered extremely important units within the BLA, receiving almost the same level of priority as the Majeed Brigade. These two squads work in coordination with the other wings of the BLA under a well-planned strategy and play a key role in attack operations.
The Fatah Squad and STOS fighters are specially trained commandos deployed in the initial stages of attacks. According to reports, this squad includes over 65 fighters known for their precise and effective strategies. The coordination of the STOS and Fatah Squad with other wings reflects the BLA’s commitment to a cohesive strategy for achieving their objectives.
These squads include fighters with various specialized skills, enabling the group to create maximum destruction during their operations. There are no permanent members in these squads; instead, fighters are selected based on the nature of the attack, and their numbers change rapidly due to the high risk of injury or death.
BLA’s Strongholds in Pakistan
According to a report, most of the BLA’s strongholds are located in the mountainous regions near the Afghanistan and Iran border. When Pakistani security forces conduct search and strike operations based on intelligence, the BLA and other extremist groups escape through illegal or covert routes to Afghanistan or Iran. However, there are some areas where the BLA is particularly active. These include Turbat, Nazarabad, Qalat, Kohlu, Noshki, Bolan, Gwadar, Panjgur, Dalbandin, Chaman, Gawani, Quetta, Kharan, Barkhan, and Kuch.
BLA’s Plans
The plans of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) are not only designed to destabilize the government of Pakistan but also to inflict maximum damage on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), considering its strategic importance. The BLA has issued a warning to China, stating: “Balochistan is an occupied territory, and the Baloch nation has been fighting for its freedom for the last 77 years. China has not only supported Pakistan, strengthening its occupation of Balochistan but has also exploited Baloch resources through projects like the Saindak and Gwadar ports. We have repeatedly warned China to stop exploiting Balochistan’s resources. We want to remind them once again that any foreign investment in Balochistan will only be decided with the consent of the Baloch people. If China makes any agreements with the occupying state, we will consider it a partnership with hostile forces, and the Baloch movement will have the right to armed resistance at any level.”
BLA’s Future Strategy
According to BLA sources, the organization keeps large-scale projects confidential as per its policy. However, in line with past strategies, the BLA will continue its attacks on Pakistani military and government installations. The Majid Brigade is preparing for a large-scale attack, while the BLA will continue with smaller assaults.
Attacks on Various Government and Military Officials and Installations
The BLA has announced that it will continue its attacks on security forces and government installations. Furthermore, a major attack is expected in the coming days, potentially targeting Chinese interests.
BLA’s Training Centers
The BLA’s training centers are spread across several areas of Balochistan, including Sibi, Bolan, Quetta, Marod, Zargon Ghar, the district of Hernai, Ghoz Spin Ghar Tangi, Sangan-e-Paen, Ghorab (Garu), and Pasht Koh. This entire mountainous region is under BLA’s control. According to local sources, security operations in these mountainous areas are extremely difficult, which is why the BLA has turned this region into its training camp. The area is filled with high mountains and caves, where the BLA has established a strong network. Conducting operations in this region via helicopters is also extremely difficult, making it an additional security advantage for the BLA.
Speaking to Khyber Chronicles, security sources revealed that during the previous Afghan government, BLA members used to stay in various guest houses in Afghanistan. These stays were particularly in the Kandahar province and the city of Ainomina in Afghanistan.
Sources state that BLA leaders Aslam Achu and Balach Bugti used to reside in different guest houses in Kabul, where other leaders like Allah Nazar Baloch and Brahumdagh Bugti were also present, with the support of the Afghan government’s intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS). BLA had established training centers in Afghan cities, Kabul and Kandahar.
According to BLA sources, the current BLA leadership is near the Iranian border, with their training camps located in the regions of Balochistan and Sistan in Iran. This is because Iran is geographically close to them, and they face no difficulty in receiving training there.
