Baloch Liberation Army or BLA
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is an ethnic nationalist group that represents the violent side of the struggle of the Baloch people to gain rights that they claim have been denied to them by the Pakistani government.
The BLA is thought to operate with a loose structure, with small autonomous cells able to carry out acts on their own without directives from above.
Hitherto an underground organisation, it is striving against 'Punjabi oppression' via and armed struggle by rejecting parliamentary politics.
It had a secret agency called Jannisar (devotee), whose duty was to provide information, destroy Pakistan's communication system, and search for traitors.
In addition to this, there was a subordinate, secret unit known as Janbaz (darer), who acted as secret police and killed suspected traitors.
The headquarters of the agency was known as Bab-i-Aali (secret war-office) and was headed by prince Abdul Karim. The total strength of the Jannisar was recorded to be 30, while the strength of Janbaz is unknown.
Balochistan Liberation Front or BLF
The front was formed in 1964 along nationalist lines. Its goal was to secure an independent Balochistan.
At the time of Islamic revolution, both the left wing resistance and the religious leaders in Balochistan organised themselves and raised voices for autonomy. These parties were banned shortly after the revolution.
Balochistan People's Liberation Organisation or BPLO
The group is patterned after the Palestine Liberation Organisation, which was active in the 1970s in the wake of the birth of Bangladesh.
It tried to emulate the Bangladesh freedom struggle, but the government of Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, then in power, managed to crush it with the help of the army and the air force, forcing its leaders and remnants to take shelter in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, France and the then USSR.
{{/usCountry}}It tried to emulate the Bangladesh freedom struggle, but the government of Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, then in power, managed to crush it with the help of the army and the air force, forcing its leaders and remnants to take shelter in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, France and the then USSR.
{{/usCountry}}Mode of Attack
The warfare tactic used by the rebel groups is generally bombing. The rebels use hand grenades, rockets and landmine to carry out attacks.
In the year 2004, the rebels carried a total of 1491 attacks. There were 142 bomb explosions; 13 grenade attacks; 1319 rocket attacks; 17 land mine blasts in total. (Source: Balochvoice).
Likely Targets
Gas pipelines, government, military establishments, train lines and power supply lines.