‘Everyone here is corrupt’: What fuels the Balochistan separatist violence

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Osama Bin JavaidFebruary 1, 2026 at 11:02 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

Recent coordinated attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) across multiple locations in Balochistan, Pakistan, resulted in nearly 200 deaths, including civilians, security personnel, and BLA fighters. The BLA, a separatist group fighting for an independent state, claimed responsibility for the attacks, which represent a significant escalation in the decades-long regional conflict. The Pakistani government downplayed the BLA's claims of casualties inflicted on security forces and framed the attacks as the desperate act of a weakened enemy. The violence highlights the volatile mix of grievances, rebellion, proxy wars, and geopolitics fueling the conflict in Balochistan. Islamabad routinely attributes the violence to foreign-backed terrorism.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

India 35% Sulaiman Range 40% Kirthar Range 40% Islamabad ×240% Attaullah Tarar 50% Quetta ×260% Pakistan ×680% Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) ×385% Balochistan ×590%

Keywords

balochistan 100% separatist violence 90% balochistan liberation army 80% pakistan 80% regional conflict 70% separatist attacks 70% civilian casualties 60% security personnel 50% proxy wars 50% geopolitics 40%