Baluch Liberation Front
Balochistan Liberation Front | |
---|---|
بلۏچستان آجوییءِ سنگر | |
Leader | Sher Mohammad Marri (deceased) Allah Nazar Baloch (2009–present) |
Active regions | Balochistan |
Ideology | Marxism–Leninism[1] Baloch nationalism[1] |
Status | Active |
Size | Unknown |
Means of revenue | Extortion |
Designated as a terrorist group by | Pakistan |
The Balochistan Liberation Front (
History
The group was founded by Jumma Khan in 1964 in Damascus, Syria. Four years after its formation, the group took part in the Iranian Baloch revolt against the government of Iran. During this time, the Iraqi government publicly supported the BLF, providing them with weapons and operational support.[2] However, after five years of fighting, the BLF and other Baloch militant groups were decimated by Iran. The militant groups negotiated an end to fighting with the government of Iran, and Iraq stopped openly supporting the BLF with arms. However, the government of Iraq still maintained relations with the group's leadership.[2]
Following the end of the conflict with Iran, the BLF and other Baloch militant groups began an insurgency against the government of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977. Initially the Iraqi government covertly provided the BLF and other militant groups with arms and ammunition.
In 2015, The Hindu newspaper reported that it was once again contacted by BLF to confirm its growing connections with India.[8]
Activities
The group is responsible for attacks on civilian, journalist, government officials and military personnel in Balochistan since it re-emerged in 2004. The group along with another terrorist group named
In August 2012,
On early 27 July 2013, gunmen attacked a coastguard checkpost in Suntsar, Gwadar District. The attack was carried out by 24 armed gunmen which resulted in death of seven coast guards and injured seven others. Two injured coast guards were also kidnapped by the militants. Baluch Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the attack on the coastguard checkpost. BLF also stated that two of their militants were also killed in the attack.[11]
On 12 April 2015, 20 construction workers from Punjab and Sindh province were gunned down in Turbat by armed gunmen, which the BLF later claimed responsibility for. After the attack, the Home Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti claimed that Indian intelligence agencies were involved in supporting the BLF in carrying out such attacks.[12] BLF claimed that the workers were members of Frontier Works Organization, which is a body linked to the Pakistani Army.[13]
On 16 November 2017, the bullet-riddled bodies of 15 migrants were discovered in the city of Turbat. Security officials state that while attempting to cross the border, the migrants were kidnapped by armed men who later killed them. The BLF later claimed responsibility for the murder of the 15 migrants.[14] The mastermind of the attack, Younas Taukali, was killed by Pakistani security forces in November 2017. Younas Taukali was one of the top eight commanders of Baluch Liberation Front.[3]
On 6 May 2023, Mohammad Asa alias Mullah Ibrahim was killed in a clash between different factions of BLF over division of extorted money. Mohammad Asa alias Mullah Ibrahim was a top member of BLF and carried a bounty of PKR 4 million placed on his head by law enforcement agencies of Pakistan. He had joined the ranks of the BLF in 2010 and quickly rose to become one of its leader. He was responsible for attacks on workers involved in development projects, Iranian containers and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan.[15][16]
On 18 June 2023, BLF commander, Ali Nawaz Rind, was killed under mysterious circumstances in a neighboring country. Some sources attribute his death to be a result of in-fighting among the BLF's ranks. Rind was prominent BLF commander and was part of BLF since 2014. He was also involved in number of attacks on law enforcement agencies in Pakistan.[17][18][19][20]
References
- ^ a b c "Balochistan Liberation Front". Database of People with Extremist Linkages. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Baluch Liberation Front – Mapping Militant Organisation". web.stanford.edu. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Security forces kill 'BLF commander involved' in Turbat massacre". Express Tribune. 17 November 2019.
- ^ "Three labourers gunned down in Balochistan". Pakistan Today. 14 May 2019.
- ^ "BBC correspondent in Quetta threatened by Baloch Liberation Front". Reporters Without Border (RSF). 1 August 2012.
- ISBN 9780190685829.
- ISBN 9788132119944.
- ^ "Pakistan outraged at presence of Baloch activist in India". The Hindu. 9 October 2015.
The Baloch Liberation Front has once again contacted The Hindu to confirm its growing connection with India.
- ^ "In Balochistan, Violence Continues to Target Journalists". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 October 2014.
- Reporters without borders, 1 August 2012
- ^ "Bloodshed in Gwadar: Gunmen storm Coast Guards check post". The Express Tribune. 28 July 2013.
- ^ "20 labourers gunned down in Turbat" Dawn, 12 April 2015
- ^ Zurutuza, Karlos. "Understanding Pakistan's Baloch Insurgency". The Diplomat. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ "15 men from Punjab found dead in Kech". The Express Tribune. 15 November 2017.
- ^ "Top BLF terrorist killed in clash over extortion dispute". Samaa. 6 May 2023.
- ^ "Wanted terrorist killed by partners over ransom money distribution". Dunya News. 7 May 2023.
- ^ "BLF commander Nawaz Rind killed in 'infighting' in neighboring country". Samaa. 18 June 2023.
- ^ "BLF commander Nawaz Ali Rind falls prey to militants' infighting". 24newshd.tv. 18 June 2023.
- ^ "Banned terrorist outfit BLF's Ali Nawaz Rind killed". Minute Mirror. 18 June 2023.
- ^ "BLF commander Ali Nawaz Rind killed in internal fighting". Aaj English TV. 18 June 2023.