Date Published: February 27, 2026
Summary
On January 31, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) conducted several coordinated attacks across southern Baluchistan province, killing 30 civilians. Pakistan military forces, utilizing small arms and aviation, engaged the BLA and reportedly killed over 140 BLA fighters.[1] This attack marks a significant escalation in BLA attack coordination within Pakistan over the last two years. Balochistan holds most of Pakistan’s precious minerals, a fact that Pakistan has highlighted as a potential incentive for strengthening U.S.-Pakistan ties.[2]. This report details how these BLA attacks increase the risk to critical mineral deals and further contribute to the overall security threats Pakistan faces.
Background
The BLA is a well-trained and organized group with a vast network spread across Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Receiving funding from illicit activities, it is believed that the BLA receives support from India and Afghanistan, but there is no overt proof to support these claims. They have the capability to coordinate large scale attacks utilizing sophisticated equipment and represent the largest threat to Pakistan behind the Deobandi jihadist organization, Tehrik-e-Talib Pakistan (TTP). On January 31, the BLA coordinated small arms and bombing attacks in Quetta, Noshki, Mastung, Dalbandin, Kalat, Kharan, Panjgur, Gwadar, Pasni, Turbat, Tump, Buleda, Mangochar, Lasbela, Kech, and Awaran. Reporting by the Pakistani military indicates that the BLA used U.S. military weapons, night vision, and thermal optics left behind when U.S. military forces evacuated out of Afghanistan in 2021.[3] This indicates support or connection to terrorist cells within Afghanistan. Taliban sale and distribution of U.S. military weaponry and equipment is known to have occurred in the years following the departure of the United States military in Afghanistan. 
Motive & Operations
The BLA has aimed for an autonomous region for Balochistan since the British ceded control of Pakistan in 1947. Recent interest from foreign countries and the government of Pakistan to access rare earth minerals in the province has intensified that drive. Resource exploitation is one of the principal grievances held by the BLA and Balochistanis against the Pakistani government, and a reason behind the BLA targeting of Pakistani government forces. 2025 marked the most active year for attacks by the BLA in the past decade. Their activity consisted of attacks against Pakistani law enforcement, border security, military, and government officials, utilizing explosives, small arms, and drones. The BLA attacked a train on March 11,2025, carrying 450 passengers. Thirty military personnel on the train were killed before the BLA allowed some civilians to leave the train.[4] Overnight from 11 to 12 March 2025, the Pakistan Armed Forces launched an operation to raid the hijacked train, eventually releasing 354 hostages and killing the 33 BLA insurgents. Pakistani officials said at least 64 people were killed in the incident, including civilians, security forces, and insurgents.
Balochistan is a source of interest for resource extractions from the United States, Canada, and China. On December 10, 2025, the United States announced an investment deal worth $1.8 billion dollars into rare mineral extraction in the province.[5] Canada has already invested in mining efforts into Balochistan, but projects were delayed due to ongoing threats of violence and attacks by the BLA. Canada’s mineral export company Barrick Gold was met with significant challenges in attempting to further develop their joint mining investment project with Pakistan of the Reko Diq mine in the country’s southwest.[6] China has invested greatly in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has become a focus of recent BLA attacks. In 2024, Chinese engineers were ambushed in Karachi resulting in two deaths. Additionally, China’s persecution of the Muslim Uyghur population and Chinese support for Pakistan’s government are cited as reasons for the attacks on Chinese nationals by BLA.
Private-Sector Impact
Investment in high threat areas presents atypical risks to businesses and private sector organizations. Private sector companies will likely continue to face challenges while seeking to establish secure operations in the region. Any future development of mines or extractive infrastructure in the Balochistan province will likely be met with severe resistance to include bombing, small arms fire, and kidnapping. Extractive companies will need to deploy heightened security protocols for the protection of employees and assets in the region. Secure housing, transport to and from worksites, and armed security would be advisable measures to help protect against attacks.
Additional Information
For more information, contact OSAC’s Asia team.
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