Karachi police arrest BLA terrorist from Lyari

KARACHI: Law enforcement authorities on Sunday announced they arrested a “highly sought-after terrorist” affiliated with the banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) from the Lyari area of Karachi.

According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of south Karachi, the arrested terrorist was involved in hacking “sensitive institutions” for the outlawed group. He reportedly gathered information about law enforcement personnel to aid BLA terrorists in targeting security forces.

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The latest arrest marks a major step in the ongoing fight against terrorism and the preservation of law and order in the country. The detained terrorist posed a serious threat to national security, especially through involvement in cyber-related crimes targeting sensitive institutions.

The DIG stated that efforts are underway to gather further information about other associates and accomplices from the accused.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is a banned group recognized for its involvement in numerous acts of terrorism and insurgency in Pakistan. The militant group is based in Afghanistan and emerged around 2000.

It has been carrying out attacks targeting Pakistani forces, civilians, and foreigners, primarily in Balochistan since its formation.

Between 2000 and 2010, the BLA conducted numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including launching rockets at a paramilitary camp in Kohlu during former President Pervez Musharraf’s visit in 2006.

Similarly, the banned outfit has targeted educators and police officers, claiming responsibility for killings and abductions from 2011 to 2020. BLA has also carried out attacks on schools, buses, and even the Chinese Consulate in Karachi.

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Since 2021, the BLA has shifted to attacking military checkpoints and convoys, ambushing security forces, and conducting targeted killings and suicide bombings of civilians, including foreign nationals.

It is designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and more recently, China.