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Comprising researchers, informants, IT experts, data analysts, and investigators, ZIRAB gathers and analyses intelligence to identify targets, plan attacks, and maintain operational security
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard at a railway station in the Sibi district of southwestern Balochistan province during a security operation against militants a day after they hijacked a passenger train. (AFP)
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) possesses a sophisticated intelligence apparatus, mirroring state agencies, complete with human and cyber intelligence capabilities, Pakistani intelligence sources have revealed. The network, characterised by a hierarchical structure and specialised roles, plays a crucial role in the BLA’s operations.
At the heart of this network is ZIRAB — Zephyr Intelligence Research & Analysis Bureau — BLA’s intelligence wing. Comprising researchers, informants, IT experts, data analysts, and investigators, ZIRAB gathers and analyses intelligence to identify targets, plan attacks, and maintain operational security.
ZIRAB operates through clandestine cells in cities across Balochistan and boasts of deep infiltration within the Pakistani government and military. This intelligence network provides vital support to the BLA’s armed units, such as the Majeed Brigade, in executing coordinated attacks.
The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, echoing the BLA’s audacious 2024 Dara-e-Bolan attack, underscores the group’s growing capabilities and the crucial role of its intelligence network. Both operations, spanning over 24 hours and involving multiple BLA units, highlight the group’s meticulous planning and coordination.
The 2024 Dara-e-Bolan operation, an attempt to seize control of the strategic urban center of Mach city and its surrounding areas in Bolan, exemplifies ZIRAB’s effectiveness. ZIRAB provided real-time intelligence from local informants, surveillance, and intercepted communications, identifying vulnerabilities in Pakistani security and mapping routes for BLA fighters.
This operation, involving over 380 fighters from various BLA units, including the Majeed Brigade, Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), Fateh Squad, and the Intelligence Wing, aimed to demonstrate the BLA’s capacity to liberate and control territory.
ZIRAB’s intelligence gathering and analysis were pivotal to the operation’s success. Similarly, the Fateh Squad, an elite unit known for its exceptional combat skills and experience in direct assaults on fortified positions, played a crucial role in the recent train hijacking.
The Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), specialising in intelligence-driven covert missions, also works closely with ZIRAB to gather real-time data, identify high-value targets, and execute precision strikes. STOS plays a vital role in maximising the impact of BLA operations and minimising the opportunity for enemy counteraction.
The BLA’s recent operations, facilitated by its robust intelligence network and specialised units, highlight the group’s increasing sophistication and capacity to conduct complex attacks, posing a significant challenge to Pakistani security forces.
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