Key BLA commander arrested in DG Khan

CTD says the terrorist, identified as Rashid Bashmani, was sharing extremist material on social media

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) have apprehended a key commander of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) during an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ghazi Khan, Express News reported on Sunday.

According to officials, the terrorist was identified as Rashid Bashmani, who was sharing extremist material on social media and was inciting young individuals towards the terrorist group's activities.

A case has been registered against the terrorist, and investigation has been initiated, with significant revelations and leads expected to emerge during the probe.

Also read: Baloch unrest

Balochistan has been in the throes of a strange mix of violence for decades. This violence has partly been fuelled by religious and sectarian extremism, and partly by a chronic sense of deprivation among its impoverished population exploited by hostile agencies to keep the province in turmoil in their attempts to destabilise Pakistan.

Sunday's arrest comes days after former BLA activists Falak Sher Marri and Javed Marri asked their ex-compatriots to lay down their arms and rejoin mainstream society.

In a video message last week, Falak Sher said he had become affiliated with the BLA in 2001 and left it in 2015, rejoining the national mainstream society. He said that the security forces had assisted him a great deal during this process.

“My brother was released. My job was restored as well,” he continued. Falak Sher said following in his footsteps, more BLA militants quit the banned outfit.

“Praise be to God, we are now living happy lives with our wives and children,” he maintained. Falak Sher appealed to the Baloch militants to lay down their arms and rejoin the mainstream society.