Baloch Nationalist Army

Baloch Nationalist Army
بلوچ نیشنلسٹ آرمی
LeadersGulzar Imam (2022–2023) Surrendered[1][2]
Sarfraz Bangulzai (2023-2023) Surrendered[1][3][4]
Dates of operation2022–2023[5]
Dissolved20 December 2023; 11 months ago (20 December 2023)[5]
Merger ofUnited Baloch Army (UBA)
Baloch Republican Army (BRA)
Active regionsBalochistan, Pakistan
Kandahar, Afghanistan[6]
Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran[7]
IdeologyBaloch nationalism
Separatism[8]
ethnonationalism[8]
Notable attacks2022 Lahore bombing
2022 Panjgur and Naushki raids
StatusDissolved[5]
Battles and warsInsurgency in Balochistan
Designated as a terrorist group by
 Pakistan

Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) (Urdu: بلوچ نیشنلسٹ آرمی) was a militant group,[5] fighting for the separation of Balochistan province. 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.[9]

Since its formation, the group was led by its founder, Gulzar Imam, who surrendered to the state of Pakistan in 2023. Following Gulzar's surrender, the group strength had considerably declined.[4] Sarfraz Bangulzai succeeded Gulzar and served as the head of the group until his surrender in December 2023.[1][10] The group was dissolved following the surrender of its top leader and remaining of its members.[5]

  1. ^ a b c Key militant commander surrenders in Pakistan. 20 December 2023. Anadolu Agency.
  2. ^ "BNA chief says farewell to arms". Express Tribune. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. ^ Separatist leader in Pakistan appears before cameras and says he has surrendered with 70 followers. 20 December 2023. Washington Post.
  4. ^ a b Key BNA commander Sarfraz Bangulzai surrenders along with 70 associates. 20 December 2023. Express Tribune.
  5. ^ a b c d e Anti-China Pakistan separatist group dissolves as leader surrenders. 28 December 2023. Nikkei Asia.
  6. ^ "Pakistani militants against Belt and Road targeted in Afghanistan". NIKKEI Asia. 9 January 2021.
  7. ^ Abdolsatter Doshouki (17 October 2018). "Poverty And Discrimination Lead To Violence, Insecurity In Iran's Baluchistan". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  8. ^ a b "Rising Organized Political Violence in Balochistan: A Resurgence of Baloch Separatism?". 4 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Anarkali Bomb Blast: BNA Claims Responsibility". Baaghi Tv. 20 January 2022.
  10. ^ Web Desk (20 December 2023). "70 BNA members surrender, pledge allegiance to Pakistan". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 29 December 2023.