Latest news with #BalochLiberationFront
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Pakistan says armed men kidnap, kill 9 bus passengers in restive province, Asia News
QUETTA, Pakistan - Pakistan's authorities retrieved the bullet-ridden bodies of nine bus passengers kidnapped by insurgents in a spate of attacks on buses in the mountainous southwestern province of Balochistan, officials said on Friday (July 11). The separatist Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed the killings of the nine labourers, saying that they were involved in spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies. Baloch separatists, who have been demanding a greater share of resources, have played a role in similar past killings of those identified as hailing from the eastern province of Punjab. Government official Naveed Alam said the bodies with bullet wounds were found in the mountains overnight, while a provincial government spokesman, Shahid Rind, said the passengers were seized from two buses on Thursday evening. "We are identifying the bodies and reaching out to their families," he said, adding that the victims, working as labourers in the restive region, were returning home to Punjab. They include two brothers who were going to attend the funeral of their father, Alam said. Ethnic insurgents accuse Pakistan's government of stealing regional resources to fund expenditure elsewhere, mainly in the sprawling province of Punjab. Security forces foiled three insurgent attacks on Thursday before the kidnappings, Rind said, accusing neighbour and arch rival India of backing the militants. The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. New Delhi denies accusations by Islamabad that it is funding, training and backing the militants in a bid to stoke instability in the region, where Pakistan relies on China among international investors to develop mines and mineral processing. "India is now doubling down to further its nefarious agenda through its proxies," the Pakistani army said in a statement in remarks that followed the worst fighting in nearly three decades between the nuclear-armed foes in May. [[nid:719960]] The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the strongest among the insurgent groups long operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region. In recent months, separatists have stepped up their attacks, mostly targeting Pakistan's military, which has launched an intelligence-based offensive against them. Their other main targets have been Chinese nationals and interests, in particular the strategic port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, with the separatists accusing Beijing of helping Islamabad to exploit resources. The BLA blew up a railway track and took over 400 train passengers hostage in an attack in March that killed 31.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Armed men kidnap, kill nine bus passengers in Balochistan, BLF claims responsibility
Pakistan's authorities retrieved the bullet-ridden bodies of nine bus passengers kidnapped by insurgents in a spate of attacks on buses in the mountainous southwestern province of Balochistan, officials said on Friday read more Authorities in Pakistan have recovered the bullet-riddled bodies of nine bus passengers who were kidnapped by insurgents during a series of attacks in the mountainous southwestern province of Balochistan, officials confirmed on Friday. The separatist Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility, accusing the victims —identified as laborers — of spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies. Baloch separatists, long demanding a larger share of regional resources, have previously targeted individuals from the eastern province of Punjab in similar killings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Government official Naveed Alam said the bodies were discovered overnight in the mountains, while provincial spokesman Shahid Rind confirmed that the passengers were seized from two buses Thursday evening. 'We are identifying the bodies and reaching out to their families,' Reuters quoted Rind as saying, adding that the victims, working as labourers in the restive region, were returning home to Punjab. They include two brothers who were going to attend the funeral of their father, Alam said. Ethnic insurgents accuse Pakistan's government of stealing regional resources to fund expenditure elsewhere, mainly in the sprawling province of Punjab. Security forces foiled three insurgent attacks on Thursday before the kidnappings, Rind said, accusing neighbour and arch rival India of backing the militants. The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. New Delhi denies accusations by Islamabad that it is funding, training and backing the militants in a bid to stoke instability in the region, where Pakistan relies on China among international investors to develop mines and mineral processing. 'India is now doubling down to further its nefarious agenda through its proxies,' the Pakistani army said in a statement in remarks that followed the worst fighting in nearly three decades between the nuclear-armed foes in May. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the strongest among the insurgent groups long operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In recent months, separatists have stepped up their attacks, mostly targeting Pakistan's military, which has launched an intelligence-based offensive against them. Their other main targets have been Chinese nationals and interests, in particular the strategic port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, with the separatists accusing Beijing of helping Islamabad to exploit resources. The BLA blew up a railway track and took over 400 train passengers hostage in an attack in March that killed 31.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
70 attacks in 4 days: What is happening in Balochistan?
A few days after the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) announced the start of 'Operation Baam,' around 70 attacks have been carried out across the Balochistan and other provinces in Pakistan. At least four people were killed while 12 others were wounded in a bomb blast in Pakistan's turbulent southern province of Balochistan in May 2025(AFP) The Balochistan Liberation Front announced the start of Operation Baam on July 8. Since then, the BLF has claimed responsibility for 70 attacks across the region. "The Balochistan Liberation Front has announced that 80% of the objectives of its ongoing military campaign, Operation Baam, have been successfully achieved," read a press statement issued by Major Gwahram Baloch, the spokesperson for the BLF. Earlier on Friday, nine passengers were kidnapped from Punjab-bound buses and killed by unidentified gunmen. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Pakistani government has alleged the involvement of the Fitna al-Hindustan. Balochistan's chief minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti vowed "no mercy" for the "terrorists" behind the attack. 'We will crush every single terror plan with full force, unwavering resolve, and complete unity,' CM Bugti was quoted as saying by Geo News. 'We will deal with terrorists with full force. The blood of innocent people will be avenged. With resolve, unity, and strength, we will confront the scourge of terrorism and uproot it completely,' read an official statement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office. What is Operation Baam? Operation 'Baam' or Operation Dawn, is a series of operations announced by the Baloch Liberation Front on July 8. As per the official statement issued by the BLF, the operation marks a "new dawn in the Baloch national liberation war." "From the Makran coastal region to the mountainous Koh-e-Suleman range," the BLF has vowed to carry a series of "coordinated and multifaceted attacks against the enemy." "Operation Baam is designed to demonstrate that Baloch fighters are capable of launching large-scale, synchronised operations across vast geography.," Major Gwahram said, announcing the operation. As it continues, Operation Baam has marked the BLF's most extensive attacks in recent years. 70 attacks in 4 days Within a few hours of the launch of the Operation, the BLF had already claimed responsibility for 17 attacks in Panjgur, Surab, Kech, and Kharan. However, after the latest kidnapping and killing, the total number of attacks has been increased to 70. "So far, over 70 coordinated attacks have been carried out across Balochistan under this operation. Baloch Sarmachars (freedom fighters) have targeted state infrastructure, security forces, and Pakistan's economic interests in this strategic actions," Major Gwahram was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The BLF's attacks have ranged across districts and have disrupted connectivity, train services and have also worked to block key sections of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which serve as a key part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. A day before the kidnapping and killing of nine passengers, a grenade attack in Balochistan's Tubat area injured five people. In a separate attack, a police check post in Sibi was also targeted by BLF forces. Leading up to the announcement of the Operation, Pakistan has also reported a series of forced abductions across its northwestern regions and Balochistan. From students to journalists, several people were abducted, especially from Sindh and Karachi. Another key BLF attack took place in March 2025 when a group of insurgents hijacked a Jaffar Express train with around 400 passengers in Quetta. A total of 64 people were killed in the hijacking and rescue operations, which included 33 militants from the BLF. What is BLF's aim with the operation? The Baloch Liberation Front has been at the forefront of Balochistan's right to autonomy. The separatist group, founded in 1964, has accused Pakistan of exploiting the region's resources and denying its people basic rights and autonomy. After independence from British India, Balochistan was declared an independent state. However, in 1948, after the partition, the region was incorporated into Pakistan. For decades, the Baloch people have sought independence from Pakistan. Citing decades of violence, forced kidnapping and human rights violations, in May 2025, nationalist leaders in the province sought independence and urged the United Nations to recognise the "Republic of Balochistan".
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘A scripted narrative': BLF chief tears into Pakistan's ISIS-K spin; says Baloch struggle not foreign-backed
Allah Nazar Baloch, leader of the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), has accused Pakistan's military of making up the ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) threat to damage the image of the Baloch national movement and other local struggles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Nazar claimed that the narrative around ISIS-K is being scripted by Pakistan's military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), to falsely link nationalist movements with religious extremism and foreign agendas, The Baloch Post reported. He said this tactic is aimed at manipulating public opinion and weakening legitimate struggles for self-determination. He further highlighted that the Baloch fight for independence is rooted in the people's will, not foreign influence. Additionally, the movement is a true reflection of the Baloch people's right to national sovereignty. He alleged that Pakistan is deliberately weakening Baloch society in order to strip it of its identity and turn Balochistan into a permanent colony under military control. Nazar also criticised the power structure in Balochistan, claiming the military and not the civilian government, controls the region. He alleged that Pakistan's army actively fosters ties with extremist groups to keep the region unstable and undermine nationalist efforts. These claims reflect long-standing concerns among Baloch leaders who believe radicalism is being used as a tool to suppress dissent. The TBP report also highlighted the heavy-handed use of laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act and other security ordinances in Balochistan, which have enabled arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and denial of legal rights. Activists are often tried in military courts or special tribunals that lack fair trial standards. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Many have also reported cases of enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings, with little chance of justice. Media censorship further silences Baloch voices and hides these abuses from the wider public. Military courts and special tribunals often try Baloch activists without following fair trial procedures, making justice out of reach for many. On top of this, strict media censorship laws silence Baloch voices and hide these human rights abuses from public view, allowing the cycle of violence and impunity to continue unchecked.
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's India Focus In Iran Meets Ayatollah Khamenei's Balancing Act: 'Resolve Differences'
Last Updated: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed his hope for the resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan. Despite exchanging cross-border airstrikes just a year ago, Pakistan and Iran demonstrated a significant warming of ties, driven primarily by the shared concern over the escalating crisis in Gaza. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir- currently in Tehran- engaged in high-level meetings with the Iranian leadership to foster closer cooperation. While Pakistan used the occasion to raise its conflict with India over Kashmir, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed his hope for the resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan. No Love Lost Between Iran And Pakistan? Israel's counterstrike to the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Gaza has become a powerful catalyst for improved relations between Tehran and Islamabad as Ayatollah Khamenei commended Pakistan for resisting 'temptations" to normalize ties with Israel, calling it a principled stance against 'a blatant betrayal of the Palestinian cause." He asserted that the Palestinian issue remains the 'foremost concern of the Islamic world," criticizing some Islamic governments for aligning with Israel despite the widespread global protests against the situation in Gaza. Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments emphasizing the international community's responsibility to bring about a 'lasting ceasefire in Palestine" and affirming Pakistan's solidarity with Iran in promoting regional peace and prosperity. Iran's Balanced Stance On Kashmir During his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, Shehbaz Sharif brought up the India-Pakistan conflict, referencing India's recent airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror attack. Shehbaz Sharif also expressed appreciation for Iran's 'positive role" during that period. In a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Shehbaz Sharif publicly offered to engage in dialogue with India to resolve 'longstanding problems," including Kashmir, water-sharing, and trade. He said, 'We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace… We wanted peace, we want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks," adding a conditional note, 'But if they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely." Iran's response to the India-Pakistan dynamic remained measured as Ayatollah Khamenei expressed on X, 'We are delighted with the end of conflicts between Pakistan and India and and hope that the differences between the two countries will be resolved." Iran-Pakistan Airstrikes In January 2024, Iran conducted airstrikes in Pakistan's Balochistan province, targeting the Jaish al-Adl group. Pakistan swiftly retaliated with its own airstrikes inside Iran, targeting the militant Baloch Liberation Front. Ayatollah Khamenei, in a post on X, reiterated the historically 'warm and brotherly" relations between Iran and Pakistan, recalling Pakistan's 'commendable stance during the war Saddam imposed on Iran." Iran-India Relations India and Iran share a strategically vital relationship, largely centered around energy and connectivity, with the Chabahar Port serving as its cornerstone. Located on Iran's southeastern coast, the port offers India a crucial maritime gateway, bypassing Pakistan, to landlocked Afghanistan and the resource-rich Central Asian republics. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 27, 2025, 13:04 IST
