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Figure 1: Baloch Liberation Army Flag (Created by Wikipedia User “HapHaxion”)                   Figure 2: Baluchistan (Google Earth)

Introduction

The Baluchistan region of Pakistan has suffered a series of violent attacks by separatist groups over the past two decades, with two events having occurred in March 2025 alone. One of the most recent, a train hijacking, affected hundreds of civilians. This report outlines the history of Baluchi separatism along with the ongoing conflict between Pakistani forces and separatist groups.

Key Points

• Separatist movements contribute to heightened violence in the Baluchistan province
• Regional violence continues to affect both Pakistanis and foreigners
• The Jaffar Express hijacking affected hundreds

Background

Baluchistan is the northwesternmost province of Pakistan. Originally inhabited by Dravidian peoples, the Rashidun Caliphate conquered the region in the 7^th century CE, introducing Islam. Over the next millennium, Baluchistan would first become part of the Mughal Empire before swearing allegiance to the Iranian Afsharid Dynasty in the 18^th century. In 1823, Baluchistan become a British protectorate and then fully annexed into the British Raj in 1873.

In 1947, Baloch representatives voted unanimously to join Pakistan, though delegates from the Kalat region were excluded from said vote. Since independence, the region has seen five waves of insurgent activity, including in 1948, 1958, 1962, 1973, and the ongoing wave of insurgency which began in 2003. Insurgent groups seek autonomy or the establishment of an independent Baloch state. 

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the largest insurgent group still active in the region. Founded in 2000, the group seeks not only independence from Pakistan, but also the establishment of a Greater Baloch state spanning ethnic Baloch regions of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Growing its ranks through appealing to the youth, to the Marri and Bugti tribes, and to fighters from abroad, the BLA rallies against the claimed exploitation of natural resources in Baluchistan by the Pakistani government and migrant workers.

Starting in 2003, the group began targeting security forces and migrant workers, initiating a conflict with Pakistani governmental forces. The latter assassinated BLA leadership, most notably in 2006-2007 with the killing of Sardar Ackbar Khan Bugti and Mir Balaach Marri. The two sides agreed to a ceasefire in late 2008, though violence reignited in early 2009 following a breakdown in negotiations when BLA leader Brahamdagh Khan Bugti incited the killing of Punjabi civilian living in Baluchistan. In 2018, the group opened fire on the Chinese consulate in Karachi. The United States of America declared the BLA a terrorist organization in 2019.

Since 2014, various leaders have vied for control of the BLA. Internal quarrels led to the formation of a splinter group, the United Baloch Army (UBA), which became a rival organization to the BLA and an enemy on the battlefield. Bashir Zed now leads the dominant faction of the BLA. The Majeed Brigade, the special forces division of the BLA, has been accused of carrying out some recent attacks, including the October 7^th, 2024, Karachi airport bombing (2 casualties) and the November 10^th, 2024, Quetta railway station bombing (32 casualties).

Recent Incidents

At approximately 1:15pm local time (UTC + 5) on March 11^th, 2025, a group of 70-80 BLA insurgents detonated explosives on the railroad track and in tunnels in the Bolan Pass ahead of the Jaffar Express, a train headed from Quetta, the Baluch provincial capital, to Peshawar. The nine-coach train was approximately 160km from its point of departure when stopped. The insurgents then open fired into the train, killing at least eight security personnel and two conductors. They then allegedly took the estimated 400 passengers on the train hostage, though approximately 70 reportedly later reached a nearby train station on foot. The Pakistan Army’s counteroffensive, codenamed Operation Green Bolan, rescued roughly 190 passengers the following day.

Total casualties of Operation Green Bolan amounted to at least 21 civilians, 33 insurgents, and 4 members of the Pakistan security forces according to Reuters’ estimates. However, the BLA claims to have executed 50 hostages.  The Pakistani newspaper The News International claimed on March 16^th that not only did Pakistan’s army “successfully [rescue] all hostages,” but also that India’s intelligence service along with the Afghan Taliban were involved in the planning and execution of the BLA attack. Pakistan’s state media has also expressed said position.

On March 16^th, individuals accused of being associated with the BLA by Pakistani state media carried out a suicide bombing attack killing three members of security forces and two civilians. Four suspected terrorists died in the following altercation. The attack targeted an FC (security forces) convoy in Noshki, Baluchistan Province.