A major leadership change has been seen within the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist organization active in Balochistan, Pakistan. Bashir Zeb, considered the most powerful face of the organization, was removed from the post of Commander-in-Chief on 3 November. This person, who once started his journey from student politics, had once become a big challenge for Pakistan’s army and security establishments, but now the same organization has removed him from the responsibility of a higher post.
The discussion about Bashir Zaib is not just about his organizational journey or the attacks in Pakistan. On social media, his attire, video with armed fighters and style were also compared to the character Hamza Ali Mazari from the film ‘Dhurandhar’. However, the real question is why was the person who rose from the lower levels to take command of BLA suddenly removed from the post? Did differences of opinion within the organization over military strategy increase, or did the criticism arising from the use of female suicide bombers increase its difficulties? Let us understand the whole story of Bashir Jaib and the reasons behind this change in BLA.
Who is Bashir Zaib, how did his journey begin?
Bashir Zaib’s initial journey was associated with student politics. He is a graduate in mechanical engineering and has also studied literature. Later he became involved in separatist politics and armed activities of Balochistan. Gradually his hold on the organization became stronger and he became one of the influential commanders of BLA.
In December 2017, Bashir Zaib and Aslam Baloch were expelled from the original faction of BLA. After this, both of them formed a separate faction, but kept the name of the organization as BLA. Aslam Baloch got leadership in this new group, while Bashir Zaib strengthened his position in the organization.
Aslam Baloch died in a suicide attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan in December 2018. After this, Bashir Zaib was made the commander-in-chief of the organization. In this way, his journey that started from student politics reached the top leadership of a banned armed organization.
What major attacks did BLA carry out under the leadership of Bashir Zaib?
Under the leadership of Bashir Zaib, BLA targeted many important targets and establishments of Pakistan. These also included locations related to China’s interests. The organization’s activities also raised concerns about Pakistan’s internal security and interests related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Notable attacks related to his leadership include-
- – 2018: Attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi.
- – 2019: Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar was targeted.
- – 2020: Attack on Karachi Stock Exchange.
- – March 2025: BLA’s responsibility came to light in the incident of hijacking of Jafar Express train.
- – Operations Herof and Herof-2: Coordinated attacks were carried out against Pakistani security forces and government establishments in Balochistan.
Due to these incidents, Bashir Jaib came to be seen as a major challenge to the security establishment of Pakistan.
Why was Bashir Jaib’s command suddenly snatched away from BLA?
On November 3, BLA spokesperson Ziand Baloch issued a statement informing about the removal of Bashir Zaib from the post of Commander-in-Chief. According to the organization, now its administrative, military and policy powers have been handed over to the Senior Command Council. This council will take over the responsibility of the functioning of the organization until the new commander is appointed.
BLA has described this decision as a change in leadership under the rules of the organization. He says that this change was approved in the joint meeting of the top units of the organization on October 16. The organization also made it clear that no matter how powerful a commander is? He cannot remain in this position for the rest of his life. However, BLA did not give any clear personal or political reason behind the removal of Bashir Jaib. He called it a peaceful transfer of power and denied any conflict or breakdown in the organization. But the story behind this decision could be something else.
Operation Herof-2 became a cause of controversy in the organization?
According to the report of Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, there was disagreement within the BLA regarding military strategy for several months. Its center is said to be Operation Herof-2, which started in January 2026. According to the report, differences had arisen between Bashir Zaib and Captain Rehman Gul, head of the organization’s suicide attacks unit Majeed Brigade, regarding this operation.
Rehman Gul was reportedly against the strategy of deploying large numbers of fighters in many places simultaneously. He believed that this made it easier for Pakistani security forces to identify and target the organization’s fighters. Instead he was in favor of limited attacks using small and rapidly moving units. The report claimed that BLA suffered heavy losses due to the action of Pakistani security forces after the operation.
According to PICSS estimates, at least 215 of the organization’s fighters were killed within a week, while the BLA acknowledged the deaths of 96 fighters. The think tank claims that after this controversy, from February itself, Bashir Zaib started being removed from important decisions of the organization and the role of Rehman Gul increased. However, these claims are based on think tank reports and alleged inside sources. BLA has not officially cited this controversy as the reason for Bashir Zaib’s departure.
Bashir Jaib was also surrounded by the use of female suicide bombers
A controversial aspect of the BLA’s strategy under the leadership of Bashir Zaib has been the use of female suicide bombers. The organization received a lot of criticism for including women in the Majeed Brigade and sending them for suicide attacks. According to BBC Urdu report, many analysts believed that such attacks damaged the broader image of the Baloch movement. Pakistani researcher Malik Siraj Akbar had also raised questions on the use of female suicide bombers.
At the same time, according to terrorism expert Khurram Iqbal associated with Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, due to increasing violence in BLA attacks, support for the organization outside Balochistan has weakened. He believed that there is no positive attitude towards suicide attacks even at the international level.
Another aspect of this criticism came to light in the statement of DIG Aitzar Ahmed Goraya of Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department. He had alleged that the organization was sending educated youth to die in suicide attacks, while the commander’s own family members were in government jobs. However, BLA has not accepted any direct connection between the criticism raised regarding female suicide bombers and the removal of Bashir Zaib from the post.
Was Bashir Jaib poisoned? There was also news of coming to India
After the removal of Bashir Zaib from the post, another claim became widely discussed on social media. Some posts said that he was poisoned in Kandahar, Afghanistan and airlifted to India for treatment. These claims also said that there was controversy within the BLA regarding money transactions and the failure of the organization’s campaigns.
There has been rebellion in BLA before also regarding leadership.
Controversy regarding leadership within BLA is not a new thing. This organization was founded in the year 2000 by the faction associated with the leader Hayer Bayar Marri who demanded the independence of Balochistan. In December 2017, Bashir Zaib and Aslam Baloch were expelled from the original faction of the organization. According to BBC Urdu report, Aslam Baloch was accused of going to India for treatment without the permission of the leadership, while Bashir Zaib was accused of violating the rules of the organization.
After this both of them formed a separate faction. This new group got the support of most of the field commanders and fighters. After the death of Aslam Baloch in December 2018, Bashir Zaib took command of this group. Now once again there has been a change of leadership. In such a situation, the question is not only about the departure of Bashir Zaib, but also whether BLA will be able to handle this change within itself without any new controversy or rupture?