By Khalid Khan
In a dramatic turn of events, a high-ranking commander of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Majid Brigade, Mushfaq Ali, widely known as Kohi, was brutally killed today in Afghanistan. Known for his pivotal role in orchestrating the BLA’s militant activities, Kohi’s death marks a significant blow to the separatist organization.
According to reports, Kohi was stabbed with an apple-cutting knife by unidentified men in a covert operation. The incident took place in a residential area of Kabul, where Kohi was residing, underlining the high-risk environment that even prominent figures within militant organizations face in foreign territories. This attack, shrouded in mystery, raises many questions about the motives and individuals behind it, as well as the regional dynamics at play.
Mushfaq alias Kohi was considered a key figure in the Majid Brigade, the most dangerous and influential wing of the BLA, responsible for some of the most deadly and high-profile attacks in Pakistan, particularly targeting military installations, law enforcement agencies, and civilians in Balochistan. As the so-called “think tank” of the Majid Brigade, his strategies and leadership had earned him a reputation for ruthlessness and cunning.
In recent years, Kohi had reportedly taken refuge in Afghanistan, where he continued to lead and coordinate several insurgent activities against Pakistani forces. His stronghold in Kabul allowed him to maintain connections with various factions and international sympathizers who supported his cause for an independent Balochistan. Despite the region’s volatile security situation, Kohi’s presence in Afghanistan was tolerated by certain groups, which further complicated relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
The assassination of such a prominent figure raises concerns about the growing complexity of the situation in Afghanistan, where militant groups, including the Taliban, BLA, and others, operate with relative impunity. While it is not immediately clear who the perpetrators of this killing are, some analysts suggest that rival factions within the BLA or Afghan intelligence agencies may be involved, given Kohi’s high profile and controversial activities.
The death of Mushfaq alias Kohi is being seen as a major victory for the Pakistani authorities in their fight against separatist movements in Balochistan. Kohi’s leadership had been instrumental in shaping the BLA’s strategy, and his elimination could have significant implications for the group’s future operations. While some may view his death as a step towards peace in the region, others are likely to see it as a loss that could further escalate tensions and violence.
This assassination highlights the ongoing struggle for control in Afghanistan and the growing role of foreign powers and militant groups within its borders. For Pakistan, Kohi’s death may offer a glimmer of hope in countering the insurgency that has plagued its southwestern region for years, but it also serves as a reminder of the fragility of regional stability and the complex web of allegiances, rivalries, and interests that shape the geopolitical landscape.
As the investigation into this high-profile assassination unfolds, the political and military implications for both Afghanistan and Pakistan will likely continue to develop, shaping the future of Balochistan and its troubled relationship with both its neighbors.
Islamabad Bureau adds:
It may be remembered that his partner in terrorism Aslam Baloch (Aslam Acchu) was killed in a 2019 suicide bombing in Kandahar, confirming that Afghan soil had been used by those who are busy in cross-border terrorism against Pakistan. Kandahar had been the Vatican of the Afghan Taliban even at the time when the US-led government was ruling Afghanistan. The presence of BLA in Kandahar confirmed the constant support of the Afghan Taliban against the soil of Pakistan. Moreover, it also indicates that intra-group infighting of BLA continues where one group targets another who becomes closer to Indian operatives working in Afghanistan or New Delhi. Information suggests that Indian undercover civil engineering groups tried to mend differences among BLA factions as this factor is harming the Indian cause but their attempt was a futile exercise.
