The Baloch Liberation Army’s latest deadly strikes in Bolan and Kech not only signal an evolving militant strategy but also intensify Pakistan’s allegations of foreign interference—especially against India—in its restive southwestern province.
BY PC Bureau
In a major escalation of violence in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has claimed responsibility for two separate attacks that resulted in the deaths of 14 Pakistani soldiers. The assault in the Bolan and Kech regions, have intensified tensions in the mineral-rich province, which has been a hotbed of insurgency for decades.
The BLA’s actions come amid heightened geopolitical strains, with Pakistan accusing external forces, including India, of fueling the unrest.
According to a statement released by the BLA, its Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS) executed a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a military convoy in the Shorkand area of Mach, Bolan. The powerful blast targeted a vehicle carrying 12 soldiers, including Special Operations Commander Tariq Imran and Subedar Umar Farooq, all of whom were killed. The BLA described the operation as a precise strike against Pakistan’s “occupying forces,” asserting that the vehicle was completely destroyed.
ALSO READ: Lahore Rocked by Mysterious Blasts Amid Border Tensions
In a second operation in the Kulag Tigran area of Kech, BLA fighters detonated another remote-controlled IED targeting a Bomb Disposal Squad of the Pakistani Army around 2:40 PM on the same day. The attack, conducted during a clearance mission, killed two additional soldiers. BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch hailed the operations as part of the group’s ongoing armed resistance, vowing that attacks on Pakistani forces would continue with “greater intensity.”
The BLA is one of the most prominent separatist groups in Balochistan, a province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, known for its vast natural gas reserves and strategic access to the Arabian Sea. For decades, Baloch nationalists have accused Pakistan’s federal government of exploiting the region’s resources while marginalizing the local ethnic Baloch population. The insurgency, which seeks greater autonomy or outright independence, has gained momentum in recent years, with the BLA adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics.
BIG NEWS 🚨 Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has ELIMINATED 14 Pakistani soldiers.
Pakistan in COMPLETE SHOCK !! Military vehicle completely destroyed.
All soldiers traveling in the vehicle, including Special Operations Commander Tariq Imran and Subedar Umar Faroo have been ki**ed.… pic.twitter.com/S1f3WxpxL9
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) May 8, 2025
The group’s operations have targeted not only Pakistani security forces but also foreign interests, particularly those tied to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project. The BLA views CPEC as a symbol of external exploitation, accusing both Pakistan and China of plundering Balochistan’s resources. Recent attacks, including the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in March 2025, which resulted in significant casualties, underscore the group’s growing operational capacity.
ALSO READ: A Doctor’s Plea for Justice and Dignity for Kuki-Zo People
Pakistan’s military confirmed the attacks, attributing them to “terrorists” from the BLA. In a statement, the army said it was conducting operations to “sanitize” the affected areas and eliminate any remaining militants. The Pakistani government has long maintained that the BLA receives external support, with India frequently accused of backing the group to destabilize Pakistan. On May 6, 2025, Pakistan’s military explicitly blamed India for the Bolan attack, citing it as part of a broader strategy to divert attention from tensions along the India-Pakistan border, particularly following a deadly attack in India-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 22, 2025.
However, no concrete evidence has been presented to substantiate these claims, and India has consistently denied involvement in Balochistan’s unrest. The BLA, in its statements, has dismissed such accusations, framing its struggle as an indigenous movement against Pakistani “occupation.” Jeeyand Baloch, the group’s spokesperson, went further, labeling the Pakistani army a “mercenary armed gang” driven by foreign interests, particularly Chinese capital.
The latest attacks occur against a backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, fueled by recent cross-border incidents. Pakistan’s claims of Indian involvement in Balochistan are part of a broader narrative of blaming external forces for its internal security challenges. Meanwhile, the BLA’s targeting of CPEC-related projects threatens China’s significant investments in the region, raising concerns about the project’s long-term viability.
Within Pakistan, the Baloch insurgency exposes deep structural vulnerabilities. The province remains one of the country’s least developed, despite its resource wealth, fueling grievances among the local population. The Pakistani state’s heavy-handed, security-centric response has often exacerbated tensions, alienating even moderate Baloch voices and driving recruitment to militant groups like the BLA. The involvement of women in the insurgency, including as suicide bombers in the BLA’s elite Majeed Brigade, signals a further evolution of the movement, drawing in a broader cross-section of Baloch society.
