ISLAMABAD: Security sources confirmed on Saturday that Gul Rehman alias Ustad Mureed — the operational commander of the Indian-backed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) was killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
Rehman, a senior commander of the BLA’s notorious Majeed Brigade, was the mastermind of the Jaffar Express attack in Quetta earlier this year. According to Indian media reports, he was eliminated on September 17.
In March, the BLA targeted the Jaffar Express in Bolan district by blowing up train tracks and holding more than 440 passengers hostage during a day-long standoff. Security forces launched a decisive operation, rescuing the hostages and killing at least 33 militants. Before the clearance began, terrorists had martyred 26 innocent passengers, while four security personnel also embraced martyrdom.
Rehman’s record of terror included attacks on civilians, security personnel, Chinese nationals, and multiple assaults on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Security sources noted that the terrorist was deeply linked with Fitna al-Hindustan, a network backed and sponsored by India’s intelligence agency RAW.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in attacks by Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists operating from Afghan soil with Indian support. Recently, Islamabad summoned the Afghan interim ambassador, warning Kabul that failure to cut ties with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and curb cross-border terrorism would be treated as a hostile act.
The killing of Rehman, security officials said, marks a major setback for Indian-sponsored terror outfits and a vindication of Pakistan’s long-standing position that anti-Pakistan militants enjoy sanctuary across the border.