.png)
6 hours ago
3
Asia Pacific|The Balochistan Separatist Movement in Pakistan: What to Know
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/world/asia/balochistan-liberation-army-pakistan.html
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.
A dramatic escalation in the tactics by a Baloch separatist group came with the hijacking of a passenger train on Tuesday.
March 12, 2025, 6:17 p.m. ET
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.
