Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) the main militant group operating mainly in Balochistan has expanding geographic reach and potential even as the Pakistani state security apparatus struggles to contain the influence.
Details of a TRAC Incident Report on the BLA Majeed Brigade Suicide attack by Fidayee Shah Fahad (aka Aaftab) with a VBIED targeting Chinese convoy of engineers and investors departing from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan are outlined below as given in TRAC Weekly Report of 08 October.
The TRAC Report states, on 6 October 2024, Suhail Fahad, also known as Aaftab, a member of the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade, carried out a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack targeting a Chinese convoy of engineers and investors departing from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The explosion resulted in multiple casualties, including both Chinese nationals and their security personnel. However, neither the BLA nor Pakistani authorities have disclosed the precise number of victims. Airport officials did confirm that over 40 Chinese nationals had arrived just an hour before the attack took place.
The boldness of this attack, specifically in Karachi, marks a significant escalation in the BLA's operations, as it is far from their traditional area of activity in Balochistan. This move into urban centers like Karachi indicates a strategic shift in the group's insurgency tactics. Historically, the BLA has concentrated its efforts within Balochistan, but expanding into high-profile cities like Karachi allows them to gain greater media attention and puts pressure on the Pakistani government to protect its urban centers and key economic interests.
This is not the first time the BLA has attacked Chinese nationals in Karachi. In April 2022, a rare female BLA suicide bomber detonated near the Confucius Institute at Karachi University, killing three Chinese teachers and injuring several others. That incident was notable for being the group's first recorded use of a female suicide bomber, signaling their commitment to evolving tactics in their ongoing campaign against Chinese interests. The BLA’s consistent targeting of Chinese nationals is rooted in their opposition to China’s role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The militants view the project as a tool of exploitation, benefiting Pakistan's central government and Chinese investors while marginalizing the people of Balochistan. BLA perceives Chinese involvement as an extension of colonial practices, exploiting the region's natural resources without delivering tangible benefits to the local communities.
Majeed Brigade
The Majeed Brigade is the elite unit within the BLA, specializing in suicide attacks and high-risk operations. This unit has been at the forefront of targeting both Chinese interests and Pakistani military installations linked to CPEC. Their attacks are designed to disrupt the project’s progress and draw international attention to the perceived injustices against the Baloch people. The Majeed Brigade's involvement in this Karachi attack is in line with their mission to challenge what they consider Pakistan's and China's exploitation of Balochistan’s resources.
Operation Herof
This attack in Karachi comes on the heels of increased BLA activity observed in recent months. In late August 2024, the BLA launched “Operation Herof”, one of its most ambitious and coordinated assaults to date. This operation involved around 800 elite fighters from the BLA’s Fatah Squad and Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), along with seven suicide bombers from the Majeed Brigade. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 130 Pakistani military personnel [unconfirmed] and was positioned as the first phase of a larger campaign to reclaim Balochistan territory.
Conclusion
The BLA’s attack in Karachi signifies a calculated attempt to escalate their conflict with the Pakistani state and extend their operations beyond their stronghold in Balochistan. Expanding their theater of operations to urban areas like Karachi not only increases the visibility of their cause but also amplifies the security challenges faced by Pakistani authorities. This shift indicates a willingness by the BLA to engage in urban warfare to inflict maximum damage on symbols of Chinese economic influence and the Pakistani government's security apparatus.
Note Details are as outlined by TRAC Weekly Report of 08 October and have been reproduced for information purposes without full verification checks but are seen generally accurate.
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