Terror in the name of freedom

The BLA’s bloody trail of lies

They speak the language of human rights. They talk of freedom, of oppression, of autonomy. But behind these sugar-coated words lies a beast. A ruthless, blood-soaked beast called the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)— a group that has committed unspeakable crimes against the people of Pakistan, all under the false banner of justice. This movement is not one of liberation. This isn’t a human rights group. This terrorist organization is determined to destroy Pakistan’s unity, peace, and sovereignty, and it is supported, financed, and fueled by India. As the world ignores their crimes, it is time to reveal their actual nature— that of traitors, mass killers, and child killers rather than rebels.

The BLA thrives on chaos and bloodshed despite its claims to defend Balochistani rights. This group has repeatedly taken pride in killing innocent Pakistanis, particularly Punjabis, who are targeted purely on the basis of their ethnicity. The BLA has left a horrific legacy, from bombings of markets to assaults on buses, from ambushing road workers to igniting schools. They massacre civilians, the very people they claim to be defending. The BLA claimed responsibility for over 50 attacks in 2023 alone, which resulted in the deaths of over 120 innocent people and the injuries of hundreds more. They rejoiced. Press releases were issued by them. They exalted violence. What sort of “liberators” brag about blowing up kids?

The BLA’s insanity broke the serene quiet of the Jaffer Express as it transported passengers through the picturesque hills of Balochistan. The BLA took control of the train in one of the most horrifying incidents in recent memory. At least 21 passengers and four soldiers were killed as a result of BLA’s actions, and many more were injured. The survivors let out a horrified scream. It wasn’t a war. It was outright terrorism.

However, the Khuzdar school bus attack, a tragedy that has rocked this country, is far worse than even that horror. A suicide bomber’s car crashed into a bus carrying defenseless schoolchildren on their way to the Army Public School Khuzdar. A loud explosion tore through the car a few seconds later. The fallout was catastrophic. Three children, a security guard, and a bus driver were among the five people that were martyred on the spot. Over the span of the past week the death toll reached ten. Numerous other kids were lying in bloody puddles, their dreams crushed to dust, their books burned, their backpacks ripped apart.

And who claimed this attack? The Baloch Liberation Army. No shame. No remorse. No apology.This was not collateral damage. This was intentional, strategic, and inhumane. They murdered children—schoolchildren. For what? For carrying a book instead of a bomb?

Every BLA bullet has an Indian fingerprint behind it. The RAW-BLA partnership is made clear by numerous intelligence reports, confessions from militants who have been apprehended, and indisputable funding trails. India has invested millions of dollars in this insurgency through its infamous intelligence agency RAW, providing terrorists with propaganda networks, logistics, and weapons.

The blood of our martyrs holds us together, from Khuzdar to Lahore, from Gwadar to Islamabad. Despite the fact that our nation has experienced terror, we will not give in to it.The BLA can destroy our dreams, bomb our trains, and kill our children, but they can never break our spirit. And we’re on the rise with Operation Masoom. Not just to battle, but to put a permanent stop to this terrifying chapter. 

Their goal? to bleed Pakistan from the inside out in order to destabilize it. Since they are unable to prevail in a traditional conflict, they have made terrorism their official policy. Their puppet, proxy, and malignant instrument against our nation is the BLA. In addition to terrorists, a hostile neighbour posing as a democracy has also targeted Pakistani territory. India will always be openly shamed. There is no denying its crimes.

Where is the Baloch Yakjehti Committee when bombs go off and kids are killed? If Mahrang Baloch, the self-described activist who appears on international stages, wasn’t jailed at the moment she would have never condemned this, rather would have taken pride in this cowardly act by the BLA.

It is deafening how silent they are. Not a word for the Jaffer Express victims. No tears for the children of Khuzdar. They assert that they support human rights, but only when it aligns with their limited, anti-state viewpoint.

They weep for “missing persons,” but they remain silent about the children who have been deprived of their lives due to BLA’s fear. They pretend to be victims of state abuse while conveniently ignoring the actual victims, Pakistanis who were destroyed in the name of their alleged resistance by playing the “woman card.” In order to win over people around the world and protect terrorists, Mahrang Baloch has put together a propaganda circus. However, we can see through it. And the country won’t be deceived.

Fitna al-Hindustan, a potent phrase that captures the evil sown by foreign hands in the land of the pure, is now the official term used by Pakistan to describe the BLA’s terror activities and India’s support for them.

The word “fitna” connotes strife, mayhem, and defiance of morality. And there is no better word to describe India’s behaviour. Tells the world that we are fighting a foreign-funded machine that wants to destroy our country, not just a certain group. And with every breath and drop of blood, we will fight it.

Operation Masoom (‘innocent’), a nationwide crackdown on terror networks targeting innocent civilians, particularly children, was initiated by Pakistan’s armed forces following the Khuzdar APS tragedy. Our children, teachers, workers, and train passengers are all at stake in this conflict. Every drop of blood that the BLA spills is a war.

In Balochistan, intelligence-based operations are being carried out under Operation Masoom. Already, dozens of terrorists have been eliminated. Safe houses were dismantled. Channels of funding were cut off.

This goes beyond counterterrorism. Justice is served here. And until the last terrorist is exterminated from its territory, Pakistan will not give up.

Let us state clearly that Balochistan is not the BLA. Poetry, culture, tradition, fortitude, and pride are all found in Balochistan. The rest of the country adores its people because they are strong, resilient, patriotic, and beautiful.

Balochistan has never been neglected by Pakistan. More attention is being paid than ever before to mega-development projects like CPEC, scholarships, healthcare expansions, and connectivity initiatives.

We love Balochistan because we are one, not because we have to. One people. One flag. One destiny. We will never allow a group like the BLA to take over Balochistan’s identity because of this.

The blood of our martyrs holds us together, from Khuzdar to Lahore, from Gwadar to Islamabad. Despite the fact that our nation has experienced terror, we will not give in to it. The BLA can destroy our dreams, bomb our trains, and kill our children, but they can never break our spirit. And we’re on the rise with Operation Masoom. Not just to battle, but to put a permanent stop to this terrifying chapter.

Your time is running out, Fitna al-Hindustan.

Farzeen Nadeem
Farzeen Nadeem
The writer is a freelance columnist

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