ISLAMABAD, 10 April 2006 — The federal government yesterday declared the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) a terrorist organization and decided to take action to halt its activities. The move is seen as an apparent tightening of the noose around alleged “warlords” in turbulent southwestern Balochistan province.
Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao told Arab News the shadowy group was under surveillance for sometime and the decision was based on the Terrorist Act of 1997 that permits such actions against groups and persons involved in activities that conflict with “national interest.”
Sherpao said evidence suggested the group was involved in terrorist activities.
He said the government would close offices of the BLA in some remote areas of Balochistan and take necessary legal action against its leaders. Sherpao said BLA members had been targeting security posts and firing missiles at vital installations for the past several months.
