BALOCHISTAN is burning, Pakistan’s biggest province is up in flames and the entire security apparatus of the Govt. appears to be helpless before the relentless and audacious attacks of the militant organization called the Baluch Liberation Army (BLA). In a well-planned and superbly coordinated onslaught the militants launched a wave of terrorist attacks targeting security personnel and their installations and continued with gunning down innocent bus passengers after verifying their domicile from Punjab. On August 26th it appeared as if the BLA is commemorating the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti. He was involved in a struggle, at times armed, for greater autonomy for Baluchistan.
The government of Pakistan accused him of keeping a private militia and leading a guerrilla war against the state. On 26 August 2006 Bugti was killed when his hide-out cave, located in Kohlu, about 150 miles east of Quetta, collapsed.On this day in 2024 the BLA launched numerous attacks across the length and breadth of the province. Musakhel, Khad Koocha, Kalat, Coastal Highway and bridges on the National Highway were attacked. The outlawed BLA has proudly claimed responsibility but the spin doctors of the Govt. are busy concocting fairy tales about the hidden foreign hands and blaming RAW, Mossad and every one including Charlie’s aunt. The most recent action of the BLA is a clear proof of the capacity of the terror group to carry out multiple attacks at the time and place of their choosing. The situation in Baluchistan is also a huge question mark on the abilities of the security forces to deal with the actions of terrorist groups like the BLA and the TTP in Baluchistan and KPK that are now in the line of fire.
The problem haunting Baluchistan is only about the civic and political rights of the Baluchi people want their rightful share in the economic benefits of the state, and their sense of belonging to the federation of Pakistan. The Baluch youth are angry and their anger and frustration cannot be erased by armed action. The province today is reminiscent of East Pakistan in the 70s The Bengali youth were not satisfied with the treatment they were getting from the federation and after the 1970 elections they launched a movement for their legitimate rights and the “Operation Searchlight” launched by the military Govt. proved to be the lastnail in the coffin of a united Pakistan. Today the powers that be have to understand that Baluchistan is a political problem and not a terrorism problem. The Govt. failed to recognize the seriousness and requirement of the political problem in East Pakistan and the result was a bloody civil war culminating in secession of the province from Pakistan. The problem of Baluchistan has to be tackled politically by a genuine political process. According to a veteran Baluchi leader Mir Hasil Bizenjo Baluch leaders demanding rights for theBaluch people with in the Federation of Pakistan are being ignored and thus more and more space is being created for the militant separatist groups. This is how he put it (words to that effect): “We are losing traction. The separatists target us while the federation is not prepared to take us seriously. Many in my party have been killed by the groups. If we cannot be effective for the Baluch, there will be no one left to find a non-violent solution.”
Baluchistan has witnessed insurgency and army actions since the very birth of Pakistan. The present ugly insurgency has been going on since 2003 and increased tremendously after 2006. The Govt. of Pakistan has responded with army action and promises of rooting out terrorism from the province and has been steadfast in blaming foreign powers but the fact is that foreign powers can intervene only and only if conditions are ripe for intervention. The knee jerk reaction of the Govt. and threats of military action will only exacerbate the situation and result in more casualties and bloodshed. The terrorist separatist group called the BLA definitely needs a heavy armed response. But Baluchistan is not just about counterinsurgency or counterterrorism operations. It requires a holistic approach that can ultimately lead to a political resolution of the problem.This is the opinion of most Baluchi leaders and political activists and many Baluch voice this sentiment.
And yet, the federation remains totally tone-deaf to this basic necessity. The most recent and glaring example of Baluchi activism is the Baluch Yakjehti Committee led by Dr. Mahrang Baluch. This movement is a very peaceful and democratic one demanding equal rights or the Baluchis, end of enforced disappearances, rightful share in the national resources and all their demands are perfectly justified, legitimate and constitutional. This peaceful movement has been very badly mishandled by the Govt. and if immediate changes are not made to correct course and the BYC is persecuted it could be a great victory for the BLA to win more recruits to their ranks. Mahrang Baluch is a very popular political leader and enjoys the support of a majority of the Baluchi youth, So far she is on the side of the federation and she must take a stand against the heinous crimes of the BLA and openly condemn their gory attacks on the federation of Pakistan otherwise she will be suspect in the eyes of the security agencies.
The BLA must be pursued ruthlessly, they must be hunted down through high grade intelligence gathering and all their sanctuaries destroyed no quarter should be given to the enemies of the state. The Govt. of the day is now facing challenges by the power of the citizens for example during the recent protest actions in Turbat and Gwadar. These protesting young people were not terrorists or separatists but were treated as such by the state authorities. No country in the world can fight insurgency without the support of the common man. The people of Baluchistan must be won over this should be a battle for the hearts and minds of the Baluchi people.
—The writer is Professor of History, based in Islamabad.
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