SUMMARY

BRAS (Baluch Raji Ajohi Sangar: Baluch National Freedom Movement) was an umbrella group uniting armed separatist organizations seeking independence for the province of Balochistan in western Pakistan. BRAS had been engaged in a conflict with the Government of Pakistan for some years before they began targeting civilians.

Aiming to seek independence for Balochistan, BRAS began targeting civilians they claimed were government employees or informants, as well as non-Baloch residents and workers in Balochistan. During the February 2024 general elections in Pakistan, the group also targeted those involved in or participating in the election. The tactics employed by BRAS against civilians were mainly shootings and mine explosions.

BRAS first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2024, when the one-sided violence resulted in over 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached on 21 August of that year when the group attacked an oil and gas exploration company that resulted in the death of 5 civilians.