“A complete statement, more details about the attacks are expected to be released to the media soon,” a spokesman for the group said. Bal Luzhi Province has long been the site of the separatist movement, and the ongoing conflict has led to a huge loss of life and displacement over the years. The recent BLA activity marks a sharp escalation in the long-standing struggle for autonomy and control of local resources.
BALOCH PLA (BLA) is an armed separatist group located in the Balluchistan province of Pakistan seeking independence for the Baloch people. This is to deal with the long-term dissatisfaction of political marginalization, economic exploitation and military repression in Pakistan.
The group claims that large amounts of natural resources in Balluchistan are being extracted without benefiting the local population, and accused the government of denying the rights and autonomy of the people of Baloch. The BLA has carried out numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces, government infrastructure and development projects, especially those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which are considered exploitative.
Despite its abundant natural resources such as natural gas, minerals and coastal assets, Bal Luzhi Province remains one of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in Pakistan. According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, thousands of Balloon activists, students, journalists and political workers have been kidnapped or killed by Pakistani security forces and intelligence agencies for many years. These victims are often labeled as “terrorists” or “foreign agents” without answers or legal action. Large-scale graves were found in various regions, increasing trauma in the region and exacerbating further distrust of state institutions.
