Ex-Militant Leader Reveals BLA’s Foreign Backing by India

ISLAMABAD: Former banned outfit commander Gulzar Imam Shambay has made serious claims about the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) foreign support and recruitment strategy. In an exclusive interview with ARY News, Shambay said that militant leader Ghaffar Lango turned to armed struggle after aligning with Khair Bakhsh Marri. He revealed that Lango joined Marri after the fall of Afghanistan’s Najib government and moved into Balochistan’s mountains to launch anti-state activities.

Shambay claimed that groups like the BLA received support and funding from India and used illegal methods like drug trafficking for financing. He cited a quote from Ataullah Mengal: “Even if the devil offers help against Pakistan, take it.” He alleged that this mindset fuels militant operations. According to him, such groups can no longer deny their links to foreign sponsors. He said their illegal income also includes funds from cross-border smuggling.

The former militant accused student groups like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) of acting as recruitment hubs for the BLA. He said these groups were created to attract young, impressionable students into militancy. Once recruited, these youths were sent to training camps and eventually into conflict zones. Shambay added that infighting among militant outfits often led to internal killings, as seen in clashes between his group and Brahamdagh Bugti’s supporters.

On the regional side, Shambay claimed the BLA was still receiving weapons and shelter from within Afghanistan. He warned that leftover U.S. arms from the Afghan war were entering black markets. These advanced weapons, he said, were ending up in the hands of militants. He stressed that this flow of arms continued to destabilize the region and posed a threat to Pakistan’s internal security.

Rejecting violence, Shambay called for political dialogue and peaceful struggle. He said, “Armed conflict is not a solution. Real change comes through politics.” He admitted that many in the movement now believe reconciliation is the only path forward. His message to youth was clear: join constructive efforts, not violent ones. His remarks are likely to reignite debate on foreign interference and militant recruitment in Balochistan.