Cynthia I. Ugwu
The distinction between insurgency and terrorism has long occupied scholars of political violence, with taxonomies often emphasising differences in target selection, political objectives, and relationship to civilian populations. However, contemporary non-state armed groups increasingly defy such neat categorisations, adopting hybrid approaches that strategically combine elements of both modes of violence. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) exemplifies this phenomenon, having undergone a remarkable evolution in its operational approach while maintaining consistent political objectives centred on Baloch ethno-nationalism.
The BLA emerged in 2000 as a separatist organisation representing Baloch ethno-nationalist interests in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan. However, some argue it is a revival of the 1970s Baloch movements. The 2006 killing of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti by Pakistan’s military sparked renewed violence. Since then, the government and separatists have indulged in a violent tussle for political and economic authority in Balochistan. The BLA’s ideology centres on Baloch nationalism and separatism, advocating for an independent Balochistan state comprising Baloch-majority areas in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, which they claim have always been part of Balochistan. The BLA, primarily composed of the Bugti and Marri tribes, attributes their resentment to the Pakistani government’s exploitation of Balochistan’s resources while denying locals economic opportunities.
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