The arrest of Gulzar Imam alias Shambe, the founder of Balochistan National Army and one of the most wanted terrorists in the region during an intelligence operation is the great setback to terrorists and foreign enemy agencies who were using Baluchistan for their own interests.
The Baloch National Army is a terrorist militant group that aims to establish an independent Balochistan state in the south-western region of Pakistan. The group has been involved in a series of attacks against Pakistani security forces, government officials, and infrastructure since its inception in 2000.
The BNA has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks over the years, including suicide bombings, targeted killings, and ambushes. The group has also been accused of using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target security forces and civilians.
The Pakistani government has declared the BNA a terrorist organization, and the group is banned in Pakistan. The government has also launched military operations against the group in Baluchistan and other areas. The conflict between the BNA and the Pakistani government has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, including civilians, security forces, and terrorists.
It’s worth noting that there are multiple other Baloch separatist organizations and factions, each with their own objectives and methods, and not all of them resort to violent means to achieve their goals.
Gulzar Imam was a high-value target and his arrest is a major setback for the Baloch National Army. The Baloch National Army was formed by the merger of the Baloch Republican Army and the United Baloch Army, and it has been involved in numerous attacks on law enforcement agencies in Panjgur and Nushki.
Gulzar Imam has played a significant role in the formation of Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar, of which he was also the operational head. His visits to Afghanistan and India are also on record. Until 2018, he was the deputy of Brahmdagh Bugti in the Baloch Republican Army.
ISPR has reported that Gulzar Imam’s arrest was the result of a well-planned operation, and it is investigating his links with enemy intelligence agencies. His arrest is a major blow to the Baloch National Army and other militant groups, and it is possible that the group will be banned as a result of his capture.
The terrorism in Balochistan is of great worry for Pakistan and its security forces due to rough terrain. The economic cost of the operations in Balochistan are also high. The arrest of Gulzar Imam is a setback to the handlers living in foreign countries working to destabilise the hard earned peace in Balochistan.
Pakistan can use Imam’s testimonies as proof to further strengthen its narrative of foreign involvement in Balochistan. Pakistan can also forcefully use Imam against arch-rival India and maybe Iran to prove its narrative of their involvement in Balochistan. Naming Iran may result in some unexpected reactions from Tehran. Still, Pakistan via China, a major investor in Iran, can force Tehran not to allow Iranian soil to be used for attacking Chinese interests in Pakistan, Pakistan may also seek Chinese assistance to build similar pressure on Afghanistan, an isolated country eyeing China for help.