Two brothers, Majid Senior and Majid Junior, were driven by Baloch nationalism and a dream of freedom. Their sacrifices fueled demands for an independent Balochistan. The feared Majid Brigade emerged from Baloch soil to confront the Pakistani military, notoriously hijacking the Jafar Express from Quetta to Peshawar.
On August 2, 1974, a young man perched in a tree in Quetta awaited his opportunity, clutching a grenade. His target was Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was attending a rally in Quetta. Majid Senior sought revenge against Bhutto.
The Sacrifice of the Majid Brothers and the Suicide Squad's Tale
Bhutto dismissed the Balochistan government of the pro-Baloch National Awami Party. Balochistan had long sought independence since 1947, but Jinnah forcibly merged it into Pakistan.
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The National Awami Party fought for more regional autonomy for Balochistan, a demand intensified by the separation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Source: aajtak
Bhutto, embittered by Pakistan's 1971 defeat and the creation of Bangladesh, was unwilling to compromise and sought to undermine Balochistan's leadership, eventually dismissing the National Awami Party government.
That's the background to Majid's story. He sought revenge.
Majid knew that such an operation meant certain death. Yet, he stood bravely, grenade in hand, awaiting Bhutto's convoy. BBC Urdu reported that Majid lost his life in the mission, which ultimately failed.
Still, his sacrifice paved the way for others, inspiring Baloch stories. Two years later, Majid Senior's home welcomed a new member—Majid Junior.
Majid Junior grew up similarly and eventually met his fate on March 17, 2010.
Following Brother's Path, the Younger Brother Sacrifices Too
According to the American think tank, The Jamestown Foundation, Pakistani forces surrounded a house in Quetta's Wahdat Colony, where several insurgents were allegedly hiding. Recognizing the inevitability of his death, Majid Junior armed himself to hold off the advancing soldiers, allowing his companions time to escape. Tragically, Majid Junior also fell in battle.
Also read: Incident: 30 Soldiers Killed... Over 100 Passengers Still Captive, How Was a Train Hijacked in Pakistan?
Majid Junior's death was a significant event in the Baloch movement. Upon learning the Majid brothers' kinship, the Baloch people were incensed. The brothers earned legendary status in Baloch folklore.
In 2011, then Baloch leader Aslam Baloch conceived the idea of a fidayeen or suicide squad to enhance the Baloch movement. They named this unit after Majid. Thus, the Majid Suicide Brigade came into existence, operating as a faction of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The Majid Suicide Brigade's name alone implies embracing death. This unit targets military and business establishments in suicide attacks, to oppose the exploitation of Balochistan's resources—especially natural gas and minerals—perpetrated by the Pakistani government and Punjabi elite, who allegedly monopolize the benefits.
Since its inception, the Majid Suicide Brigade has executed audacious attacks that have shaken Islamabad.
The Brigade's first strike in 2011 claimed the life of former minister Nasir Mangel with an IED, resulting in 13 deaths and numerous injuries. In November 2018, this Brigade attacked the Chinese consulate in Karachi and struck the Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar, a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, in May 2019. The attack claimed five lives with three attackers deceased. Subsequently, the Majid Brigade also targeted the Confucius Institute at Karachi University with a suicide assault.
Funding and Advanced Weaponry
The American think tank reports that the Brigade's funding originates from overseas, with expatriate Baloch individuals primarily contributing through hawala channels.
The Majid Suicide Brigade is well-equipped with various high-grade weapons used in their operations.
Source: aajtak
Their arsenal includes improvised explosive devices (IEDs), anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, grenades, RPGs, automatic firearms, and BM-12, 107MM, 109MM rockets, as well as suicide vests containing advanced explosives like C4 alongside their M4 rifles.
Fatah Squad
The Fatah Brigade and Zirab Unit of the Baloch Liberation Army played roles in the train hijacking in Pakistan, with Fatah mainly operating in Balochistan's mountainous terrain, where the hijacking occurred, showcasing expertise in guerrilla warfare. This squad adeptly ambushes military caravans and camps.
In Operation Heraof of 2024, the Fatah squad collaborated with other BLA factions to blockade 14 major roads in Balochistan, resulting in the deaths of 62 Pakistani soldiers.
Zirab Units and Special Tactical Operations Squad
The BLA functions like a professional army, with ZIRAB units tasked with intelligence gathering and executing high-value target attacks, aiming to disrupt Pakistani military operations.
The BLA claims ZIRAB maintains secret branches in Baloch towns. The group asserts successful infiltration of enemy strongholds, ready to conduct attacks anywhere.
