Baloch Nationalist Army

Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) (Urdu: بلوچ نیشنلسٹ آرمی) is a militant group, fighting for the separation of Balochistan province. The group was formed on January 11, 2022, out of a merger of the Baloch Republican Army (BRA), and the United Baloch Army (UBA). BRA and UBA also announced their dissolution following the establishment of Baloch Nationalist Army.[7]

Baloch Nationalist Army
بلوچ نیشنلسٹ آرمی
LeadersGulzar Imam (2022–2023) Surrendered[1]
Sarfraz Bangulzai (2023-present)[2]
Dates of operation2022–present
Merger ofUnited Baloch Army (UBA)
Baloch Republican Army (BRA)
Active regionsBalochistan, Pakistan
Kandahar, Afghanistan[3]
Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran[4]
IdeologyBaloch nationalism
Separatism[5]
ethnonationalism[5]
StatusActive
Opponents Pakistan
 China
 Iran[4][6]
Battles and warsInsurgency in Balochistan
Designated as a terrorist group by
 Pakistan

Background

Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) is a Baloch nationalist militant umbrella group, which is seeking separation of Balochistan province from Pakistan. It was formed on 11 January 2022 and following its establishment, the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and United Baloch Army (UBA) announced their dissolution and merger into Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA). BRA and UBA are a militant groups and were responsible for various attacks on civilians, government officials, and Pakistani security forces.[8][9]

Arrest and Surrender of leader

Arrest

Gulzar Imam The founder and leader of Baloch Nationalist Army was arrested in a high-profile intelligence-based operation by Pakistani Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) on 7 April 2023. He was considered to be one of the key militant commanders operating in the Makran belt of Balochistan province.[1]

Surrender

On 23 May 2023, Gulzar Imam Shambay surrendered and urged all insurgents operating in the province to surrender and adopt a peaceful life, saying that rights could only be achieved through political and constitutional struggle. "I seek apology from the family members of all those who were martyred during my tenure as an active (BNA) commander," Gulzar Imam alias Shambay the repentant militant commander told the media in captivity. He also said he thoroughly realised that armed struggle is not the solution and only political and constitutional struggle offered solutions to issues related to Balochistan province.[1] Following Gulzar's surrender, Sarfraz Bangulzai alias Merid Baloch was appointed as the new head of the Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA).[2]

Attacks

2022 Lahore Blast
Main article: 2022 Lahore bombing

On 20 January 2022, at least three people were killed and over 20 others were injured by a bombing in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.[10][11][12] At 1:40pm, a 1.5 kilogram improvised explosive device exploded on a motorcycle parked next to a pushcart outside a bank in a busy market chowk in the Anarkali area of the city.[11][12] It broke windows of nearby buildings and set fire to several parked motorcycles. The attack was claimed on Twitter by a spokesman for the Baloch Nationalist Army.[13]

The blast in Lahore was strongly condemned by leader of Baloch nationalist groups like Mehran Marri and Brahumdagh Bugti. The condemnation by the leaders of Nationalist group highlighted the clash between the leaders of terrorists groups aboard and by the fighters on ground.[14]

2022 Panjgur and Naushki raids
Main article: 2022 Panjgur and Naushki raids

The 2022 Panjgur and Naushki raids were a series of attacks on the Pakistani Frontier Corps in Balochistan claimed by the Balochistan Nationalist Army (BLA), a newly formed Balochi separatist group with ties to the Balochistan Liberation Army.[8][9] On February 2, the militants attacked both the Frontier Corps base in Nushki and an outpost in Panjgur District,[15] as part of the insurgency in Balochistan.

References
  1. "BNA chief says farewell to arms". Express Tribune. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  2. "Sarfraz Bangulzai Baloch Appointed As New Head of BNA, Media Reports". Khaama Press. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  3. "Pakistani militants against Belt and Road targeted in Afghanistan". NIKKEI Asia. 9 January 2021.
  4. Abdolsatter Doshouki (17 October 2018). "Poverty And Discrimination Lead To Violence, Insecurity In Iran's Baluchistan". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  5. "Rising Organized Political Violence in Balochistan: A Resurgence of Baloch Separatism?". 4 September 2020.
  6. "Mapping Militant Organisation: Baloch Liberation Front". web.stanford.edu. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  7. "Anarkali Bomb Blast: BNA Claims Responsibility". Baaghi Tv. 20 January 2022.
  8. "Pakistan army posts come under deadly attacks in Balochistan". AlJazeera. 2 February 2022.
  9. "Pakistan: Areas Cleared After Militant Attacks Kill 9 Troops". The Diplomat. 8 February 2022.
  10. Gabol, Imran (20 January 2022). "At least 3 dead, 20 injured in blast in Lahore's Anarkali area". DAWN.COM.
  11. "At least three killed, 23 injured in Lahore blast". www.thenews.com.pk.
  12. "At least two dead, dozens injured in Lahore explosion". The Express Tribune. 20 January 2022.
  13. Service, Tribune News. "Baloch Nationalist Army claims responsibility for Lahore blast". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  14. "Blast in Lahore". The Quint. 22 January 2022.
  15. "Terror grips Balochistan". The News on Sunday. 13 February 2022.
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