Baloch Nationalist Army

Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) (Urdu: بلوچ نیشنلسٹ آرمی) is a militant group, fighting for the separation of Balochistan. The group was formed on January 11, 2022, out of a merger of the Baloch Republican Army (BRA), and the United Baloch Army (UBA). BRA and UBA also announced their dissolution following the establishment of Baloch Nationalist Army.[4]

Baloch Nationalist Army
بلوچ نیشنلسٹ آرمی
LeaderGulzar Imam[1][2]
Sarfraz Bangulzai[2]
Dates of operation2022–present
Active regionsBalochistan, Pakistan
Kandahar, Afghanistan[3]
IdeologyBaloch nationalism
Battles and warsInsurgency in Balochistan

Background

BRA and UBA, the predecessors of BNA were founded in 2006 and 2013 respectively.

Leaders

On 7 April 2023, Pakistan arrested Gulzar Imam, the leader and founder of BNA.[5]

Attacks

2022 Lahore Blast
Main article: 2022 Lahore bombing

On 20 January 2022, at least three people were killed and over 20 others were injured by a bombing in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.[6][7][8] At 1:40pm, a 1.5 kilogram improvised explosive device exploded on a motorcycle parked next to a pushcart outside a bank in a busy market chowk in the Anarkali area of the city.[7][8] It broke windows of nearby buildings and set fire to several parked motorcycles. The attack was claimed on Twitter by a spokesman for the Baloch Nationalist Army.[9]

The blast in Lahore was strongly condemned by leader of Baloch nationalist groups like Mehran Marri and Brahumdagh Bugti. The condemnation by the leaders of Nationalist group highlighted the clash between the leaders of terrorists groups aboard and by the fighters on ground.[10]

2022 Panjgur and Naushki raids
Main article: 2022 Panjgur and Naushki raids

References
  1. Rai, Manish. "Interview of Gulzar Imam, Baloch Nationalist Army BNA's top commander". Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  2. "لاہور دھماکہ: ذمے داری قبول کرنے والی 'بلوچ نیشنلسٹ آرمی' کب اور کیسے بنی؟". Voice of America (in Urdu). 20 January 2022.
  3. "Pakistani militants against Belt and Road targeted in Afghanistan". NIKKEI Asia. 9 January 2021.
  4. "Anarkali Bomb Blast: BNA Claims Responsibility". Baaghi Tv. 20 January 2022.
  5. "Pakistan's army says it has arrested Baluch insurgency chief". Washington Post. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  6. Gabol, Imran (20 January 2022). "At least 3 dead, 20 injured in blast in Lahore's Anarkali area". DAWN.COM.
  7. "At least three killed, 23 injured in Lahore blast". www.thenews.com.pk.
  8. "At least two dead, dozens injured in Lahore explosion". The Express Tribune. 20 January 2022.
  9. Service, Tribune News. "Baloch Nationalist Army claims responsibility for Lahore blast". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  10. "Blast in Lahore". The Quint. 22 January 2022.
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