Security forces apprehend outlawed Baloch National Army founder in intelligence operation

• Gulzar Imam is founder of the banned outfit Baloch National Army.
• He was also instrumental in formation of Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar.
• ISPR says arrest of Gulzar Imam Shambay is a serious blow to BNA.

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RAWALPINDI: In a high-profile and successful intelligence operation, the lead intelligence agency successfully apprehended a high-value target (HVT) Gulzar Imam alias Shambay, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Friday.

The military's media wing revealed that he has been a hardcore militant as well as the founder and leader of the banned outfit Baloch National Army (BNA) which came into being after the amalgamation of the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and United Baloch Army (UBA). 

"BNA had been responsible for dozens of violent terrorist attacks in Pakistan including attacks on law enforcement agencies (LEAs) installations in Panjgur and Noshki," the ISPR said.

The statement mentioned that Gulzar Imam also remained as deputy to Brahamdagh Bugti in Baloch Republican Army (BRA) till 2018.

The military's media wing stated that the apprehended militant was also instrumental in the formation of Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) and remained its operational head.

"His visits to Afghanistan and India are also on the record; his linkages with hostile intelligence agencies (HIAs) are being investigated," it stated.

The ISPR further mentioned that reportedly, the hostile agencies also tried to exploit him to work against the state of Pakistan and its national interests.

"He was apprehended after an innovatively conceived, carefully planned and meticulously executed operation, that spanned months over various geographical locations," the statement read.

"The arrest of Gulzar Imam Shambay is a serious blow to BNA as well as other militant groups, which have been attempting to destabilise the hard-earned peace in Balochistan.

"Apprehension of a militant leader of this stature demonstrates the capability and resolve of LEAs to uproot the menace of terrorism as well as speaks volumes about the successes garnered through supreme sacrifices of unsung heroes," the military's media wing said.

'High-profile arrest'

While speaking to Geo News, former defence secretary Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Naeem Lodhi said: “I know how valuable and well-embedded intelligence operator Gulzar Imam was and how deeply he was involved in terror activities in Pakistan”.

Lodhi said that Pakistan security forces were on the hunt for him for a long time to curb the terror activities of BLA and BRA as he was their ring leader and planner.

“I think it was a big achievement of our forces due to which other terrorists will also be nabbed and this terror network can be possibly busted.”

The retired general termed it a very high-profile arrest and compared it with that of Indian spy Kubhusjhan Yadav.

The development will also help to dismantle the support network of terrorists, he noted.

To a question, the former military official said the hostile agencies must be in shock over the arrest, terming this a setback to the country's enemies.

“The miscreants joined hands with TTP and ISIK to increase terror activities in Pakistan after the takeover of Kabul by the Afghan Taliban.”

He also urged the nation to show support to the military as it was sacrificing their lives to provide security and not to adhere to the propaganda campaigns launched against them.