In a major development, Baloch separatist groups, under the leadership of Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), have announced the establishment of a unified military command aimed at intensifying their resistance against Pakistan and China in Balochistan. The decision followed a three-day meeting involving Baloch and Sindhi separatist leaders, where they restructured their military and diplomatic strategies.

The announcement came on Sunday, marking a significant shift in the operational framework of the separatist movement. The BRAS coalition, initially formed in 2018, consists of major armed groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and the Baloch Republican Army (BRA). This coalition will now consolidate under the newly established Baloch National Army (BNA) to enhance coordination and efficiency in their operations.

Baloch insurgents carried out 938 attacks in 2024, leading to over 1,000 deaths and 689 injuries affecting 327 areas across 25 districts, according to The Balochistan Post. The figures represent a 53% increase in attacks and an 80% rise in fatalities compared to 2023.

Among the separatist factions, the BLA was the most active, executing 302 attacks that resulted in over 580 deaths and 370 injuries. The BLF conducted 284 operations, causing more than 280 fatalities, while BRAS was responsible for 204 attacks, leading to at least 41 deaths.

In a statement released on Sunday, BRAS spokesperson Baloch Khan outlined the group's plans to establish new military committees and departments to bring its constituent factions under one structured command.

“The main objective of this process is to transform the Baloch resistance forces from scattered operations into an organised, coordinated, and decisive force, which will prove to be an invincible wall against the enemy,” the statement declared.

Following the announcement, senior Pakistan Muslim League-N leader and former federal interior minister Rana Sanaullah issued a warning on Monday about the increasing security threat in Balochistan. He cautioned that if preventive measures were not taken, armed groups could gain further control over the region. The Balochistan Post reported that Sanaullah urged the government to enhance its security measures to prevent insurgents from strengthening their hold.

The BRAS leadership has introduced a strategic shift, focusing on modern guerrilla warfare techniques, technological advancements in intelligence gathering and precision attacks against Pakistani forces.

“A coordinated and systematic plan of action has been drawn up to completely eliminate the enemy’s intelligence superiority, weaken its military positions, and target its war equipment, which will be implemented as soon as possible,” the BRAS statement read.

Beyond military operations, BRAS aims to intensify efforts against what it calls the "exploitation of Baloch resources" by Pakistan and China. The group has announced plans to escalate blockades of key highways across Balochistan, disrupting economic, logistical, and military movements, particularly those benefiting Chinese companies operating under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

On the diplomatic front, BRAS will push for increased international recognition of its cause. The group plans to highlight alleged "atrocities" committed by Pakistan and China, including human rights violations, enforced disappearances, and military aggression. It also seeks to strengthen ties with international human rights organisations, diplomatic entities, and foreign governments to gain broader support.

The leadership emphasised ideological and intellectual training for its fighters to ensure they were well-versed in both advanced military techniques and the national ideology that underpinned the movement.

BRAS was established in 2018 as the first significant coalition among Baloch separatist groups. The initiative was led by BLF leader Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, who aimed to unify various nationalist factions to increase operational effectiveness against the Pakistani military and Chinese interests in the region.

The group has been involved in numerous high-profile attacks, including ambushes targeting Pakistani military convoys, suicide bombings and kidnappings. Many of these operations specifically targeted Chinese workers engaged in CPEC projects, which Baloch separatists view as an exploitation of their land and resources.

In 2020, the BLA, a key BRAS affiliate, launched an attack on the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE), a financial hub closely tied to Chinese investments. The attack was seen as a direct challenge to China's growing economic footprint in Pakistan. The group has also clashed sporadically with Islamist militant organisations like Jaish al-Adl, which operates in Iran, due to ideological differences.

BRAS operates under a Marxist-leftist nationalist ideology, advocating for Balochistan's independence and opposing foreign exploitation of the region’s natural wealth. The group asserts that Balochistan's resources should be controlled by its native population rather than external forces, particularly China and Pakistan.

BRAS’s decision to consolidate its forces under a unified command reflects a significant escalation in the separatist movement in Balochistan. The group aims to enhance its operational strength, refine its strategic approach and garner international support. As insurgent activities intensify, Pakistan faces mounting security concerns, while China’s growing economic interests in the region remain at risk. With the new military structure in place, BRAS believes it is advancing toward its goal of securing Baloch independence through coordinated and organised resistance.