The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), two separatist groups active in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, have drawn condemnation following a series of attacks resulting in civilian casualties. Recent incidents in Quetta, Mastung, and Turbat have reignited debates over the humanitarian impact of the region’s protracted insurgency.
On November 9, 2024, two civilians were killed in a bombing in Quetta, according to local authorities. Relatives of the victims publicly denounced the attack, with one family member stating, “They targeted innocents who had no part in this conflict.” The BLA claimed responsibility, alleging the victims were linked to state forces—a claim disputed by residents.
This follows a September 29, 2023, explosion near a mosque in Mastung that killed over 50 people, including children. A grieving father, holding a photograph of his slain daughter, questioned the motives behind targeting places of worship. “My child was praying—what threat did she pose?” he said. While no group initially claimed the attack, analysts later attributed it to BLA-linked operatives based on intercepted communications.
In Turbat, a January 4, 2025, bus bombing claimed the life of a young man, prompting his mother to demand accountability. “Why did they kill my son? He was a student, not a soldier,” she said during a press conference. The BLA again asserted responsibility, alleging the victim supported state-backed militias—an accusation his family denied.
Public frustration has intensified amid revelations from arrested militants. Bashir, a detained BLA operative, reportedly confessed during interrogation to the group’s involvement in civilian-targeted operations. Separately, Talat Aziz, a Baloch student from Punjab University Lahore, alleged he was lured by BLA members under false pretenses before escaping captivity.
On January 11, 2025, two civilians were killed in Tump district. Fifteen-year-old Miraj Wahab was among the slain; his mother rejected BLA claims that he belonged to a “state death squad,” calling the allegations baseless. “They murdered my son because he refused to join them,” she said.
Baloch civil society groups, including student unions and women’s organizations, have organized protests condemning the violence. “These groups claim to fight for Baloch rights, but they kill Baloch people,” said a Mastung-based activist. Security forces have pledged to intensify counter-operations, though critics argue such measures risk further civilian harm.
