An armed separatist group fighting for Balochistan's independence from Pakistan. Known for attacks on Pakistani forces and Chinese interests in the region.
Recent reports suggest BLA fighters temporarily took control of Surab city in Balochistan, exposing Pakistan's security vulnerabilities in the province.
Islam is practiced by 99% of Balochistan's population, mostly Sunni Muslims with a small Shia minority.
55% Baloch, 40% Pashtun, and 5% other minorities. The Baloch people maintain distinct cultural traditions.
Baloch nationalists accuse Pakistan of economic exploitation and human rights violations, demanding independence since 1948.
Balochistan has Pakistan's largest natural gas reserves (40%), gold/copper deposits, and strategic Gwadar Port - fueling independence demands.
CPEC projects have intensified conflicts, with Baloch groups attacking Chinese workers, calling it "neo-colonialism."
Pakistani forces face allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch activists.
Borders Iran/Afghanistan. Gwadar Port offers China key access to the Arabian Sea, making the region geopolitically sensitive.
The insurgency continues since 2004, with recent BLA attacks highlighting persistent tensions in Pakistan's largest but least developed province.