Who is ZIRAB: On November 9, a major suicide attack targeted Pakistani army personnel at Quetta’s railway station. The soldiers were preparing to board the Zafar Express after completing a training course at the Infantry School. Before the train’s arrival at 9 AM, a suicide bomber struck, killing over two dozen soldiers. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, attributing the attack to the Majeed Brigade’s suicide bombers, with support from its intelligence wing, ZIRAB (Zephyr Intelligence Research and Analysis Bureau), which recently went public with its operations.
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BLA’s Intelligence Arm: ZIRAB
The BLA’s ZIRAB intelligence wing reportedly orchestrated the timing and logistics of the attack after conducting extensive reconnaissance. The group carefully monitored military movements in the area, confirming details from both internal and external sources. They targeted the day when around 200 Pakistani soldiers were gathered at the Quetta station, initially planning for November 8 but postponing to November 9 for strategic reasons.
Targeting Chinese Nationals
ZIRAB’s operations extend beyond attacks on Pakistani forces, with recent plans aimed at Chinese nationals. Last month, the intelligence wing coordinated a suicide attack targeting Chinese engineers and investors returning from Karachi airport. This is part of BLA’s declared strategy to target Chinese citizens and projects in Balochistan, a warning to China to leave the region.
Intensifying Attacks in Balochistan and Beyond
The Quetta bombing is part of a larger escalation, with other attacks recently occurring in Nushki district (November 6) and Qaudribad (November 4), all attributed to ZIRAB’s intelligence operations. These high-precision strikes are creating significant challenges for Pakistani security forces and Chinese interests, signaling BLA’s intensified capabilities. A report from Pakistan’s Institute for Conflict and Security Studies highlights that ZIRAB’s intelligence infrastructure has bolstered BLA’s effectiveness, particularly in complex operations targeting high-profile foreign nationals and sensitive military movements.
ZIRAB is full of trained and experts
The way the Pakistani army created havoc in Balochistan is in front of the whole world and now when the Baloch rebels started creating havoc, that too has come to the fore. In the era of technology, BLA also upgraded itself and created its own intelligence wing like the army of any country.
During the official announcement of ZIRAB on behalf of BLA, it was said that ZIRAB (Zephyr Intelligence Research & Analysis Bureau) is an organized and coordinated intelligence wing of the Baloch Liberation Army which includes hundreds of professionals, researchers, informers, IT experts, data analysts and investigators and secret cells of ZIRAB have been established in all the small and big cities of Balochistan. These silent soldiers of BLA have been successful in infiltrating all the establishments of the enemy.
More than 50 attacks in Pakistan in October
On 23 June 2024, the Pakistani Army launched the anti-terrorism Operation Azm-e-Istekhm. Since the start of this operation, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) have intensified attacks against the Pakistani Army.
According to reports released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies think tank, 68 terrorist attacks were carried out in different parts of Pakistan in October 2024. However, this is less than the 77 attacks in September. So far 117 people have died in these attacks, of which 45 percent are security forces personnel.
As the BLA has announced that the Silent Soldiers of its intelligence wing have penetrated deep into the army and other security forces, it is believed that major attacks on the Pakistani army and Chinese citizens may increase in the coming days.
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