What does BLA mean in MILITARY

The Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) is an insurgent militant organisation which operates in parts of southwestern Pakistan. It is primarily concerned with establishing an independent Balochi homeland in the region.

Members of BLA are primarily ethnic Baloch people from southwestern Pakistan who are seeking regional autonomy and/or independence from Pakistani rule and control. They have also attracted support from exiled diaspora communities both inside and outside of Pakistan.

The BLA is believed to be responsible for several attacks within Pakistan, including a 2019 attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi and other assaults on security forces and civilians. They have also reportedly engaged in low-level guerrilla warfare tactics such as improvised explosive device attacks, kidnappings, and targeted assassinations.

Reports suggest that the group has received funding from sympathizers amongst Baloch diaspora communities both inside and outside of Pakistan, as well as through donations and extortion activities such as kidnapping for ransom.

The United States Department of State designated the BLA as a Terrorist Organization in 2020, restricting all transactions between individuals or companies connected to it, or providing support or assistance to it or its members. Other countries such as India have also become increasingly involved due to the organization's presence near their borders. Additionally, there has been significant criticism from human rights organizations about alleged extrajudicial killings by Pakistani security forces attempting to counter the group's separatist ambitions.