Founder of the banned Baloch National Army Gulzar Imam alias Shambay has completed one year of working with the Pakistani state, marking a significant shift in his stance.
Once the mastermind of militant organisations in South Balochistan, Shambay was arrested in 2023 through a highly sensitive intelligence operation.
Born in 1978 in Panjgur district, Shambay was a contractor and local newspaper reporter before joining the terrorist group in 2009.
He even visited India on fake documents in 2017, where he received training and funding to fuel terrorism in Balochistan.
Shambe was the deputy of Brahamdagh Bugti in the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) until 2018 and later became the operational head of the Baloch Republican Army (BRAS).
He also founded the Baloch National Army (BNA), a militant organization responsible for various terrorist activities in the province.
However, after his arrest, Shambay expressed remorse for his 15-year involvement in terrorism and acknowledged that his actions were misguided. His arrest and subsequent change of heart are seen as a significant success for Pakistani intelligence agencies and a testament to the state's efforts to address the root causes of terrorism in Balochistan.
Shambay's decision to work with the state has inspired other leaders to follow suit. Sarfaraz Bangalzai, head of the BNA organization, along with 70 of his colleagues, announced their decision to join the national mainstream, effectively dismantling the organization.
This development marks a significant shift in the dynamics of Balochistan, where the state is working to address the grievances of the local population and develop the province through initiatives like CPEC.
The people of Balochistan are determined to defeat evil elements and work towards a more prosperous future.
