In a significant development, Mushtaq Kohi, a senior commander of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), was assassinated in Kabul’s Khushal Khan area. Mushtaq Kohi was fatally stabbed in the back while sitting in a taxi and succumbed to his injuries upon reaching the hospital. The use of an apple-cutting knife as the murder weapon has added intrigue to the situation, fueling speculation about the motive and those responsible.
Kohi was a high-ranking figure in the BLA’s Majeed Brigade. The Majeed Brigade recruits young, educated Baloch women. Recruiters often select these women for suicide missions. They regarded Kohi as a key strategist. He planned multiple attacks on Pakistani security forces. He also targeted infrastructure in Balochistan. Kohi had strong ties with Aslam Baloch, also known as Aslam Achu. Aslam Achu was a former BLA leader. He was assassinated in a 2019 suicide bombing in Kandahar. These ties further cemented Kohi’s role within the organization.
The circumstances surrounding Kohi’s assassination have sparked multiple theories. While some sources suspect external involvement, others point to internal rivalries within the BLA. Reports suggest growing discord among top commanders, hinting at a possible power struggle that could have led to Kohi’s elimination. His death follows a series of similar incidents that have weakened the BLA’s leadership and disrupted its operational capabilities.
Kohi’s assassination has once again highlighted Pakistan’s concerns about anti-Pakistan militant groups operating from Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan interim government to take action against safe havens for the BLA and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), citing threats to its national security. The targeted killing of a high-profile figure like Kohi in Kabul signals a shrinking operational space for these groups.
India’s Alleged Support for Baloch Separatists
The BLA has frequently been at the center of geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and India. In 2014, former Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval discussed a strategy called “Defensive Offense,” suggesting that Pakistan’s internal vulnerabilities, including the Baloch insurgency, could be exploited. His statement—”Pakistan’s vulnerability is many, many times higher than that of India. Once they know India has shifted to defensive offense, they will find it unaffordable for them. You can do one Mumbai, you may lose Balochistan”—was interpreted as an implicit endorsement of India’s support for Baloch separatists.
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In 2016, Aslam Baloch had an encounter with Pakistani security forces. This took place in Balochistan. He allegedly fled to Afghanistan via Iran. Later, he traveled to New Delhi for medical treatment. He used a fake Afghan passport for this purpose. Reports suggest that Max Healthcare treated him. Max Healthcare is a private hospital in India. After treatment, he returned to Afghanistan. He resumed militant activities there. Intelligence sources claim he was in contact with Naela Quadri. Naela Quadri is an advocate for an independent Balochistan. They also allege that she is an Indian proxy.
The assassination of Mushtaq Kohi marks another significant blow to the BLA. Moreover, with its leadership continuously under attack and internal fractures widening, the group faces an uncertain future. Additionally, the geopolitical implications of his death—particularly concerning India-Pakistan relations and Afghanistan’s role in sheltering separatist militants—remain a subject of intense debate.
