Catastrophic events from last year's August continue to cast a shadow on Balochistan as the region prepares for Independence Day.
In the heart of Balochistan, Pakistan, the spirit of Independence Day has been dampened by the persistent threat of violence. Last year, on August 14, 2021, a hand grenade attack at the local railway station took the life of train supervisor Siraj Ahmed and injured his three children.
The attack, which occurred without a specified immediate cause, was part of the ongoing insecurity in Balochistan, a region that has been plagued by insurgency and ethnic tensions for years. This unrest has resulted in numerous deadly incidents, making security a persistent challenge in Quetta and broader Balochistan.
Since the tragic attack, Haris, one of the injured children, has expressed fears of another blast on August 14 and will not go to see the lights at the railway station this year. His siblings, too, have been affected, with their father's absence a constant reminder of the violence that has gripped their hometown. Haris's uncle, Muhammad Saleem, takes them to their father's grave for prayers, offering them comfort in their time of need.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in August 2020 that killed 125 people in Balochistan, including 80 civilians. These attacks, and the one on August 14, 2021, have had far-reaching consequences. Due to these incidents, many vendors have decided not to order Independence Day stock for 2021, fearing another attack.
The Pakistani government is making efforts to ensure that the tragic incidents of last August are not repeated this year. A "multi-layer strategy" involving civilian and paramilitary forces has been put in place, according to provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind. Despite these efforts, the security threat level remains high.
The suspension of the Quetta train service for Aug. 11 and 14 following the targeted blast on the Quetta-Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express is due to a shortage of carriages caused by the attack. However, Muhammad Kashif, a personal relations officer for Pakistan Railways' Quetta Division, stated that the decision was not due to security concerns.
The Balochistan government has also taken measures to combat the violence, suspending mobile Internet services in all 36 districts until Aug. 31, citing facilitation of terrorists.
The ongoing violence in Balochistan has profoundly impacted Independence Day celebrations in Quetta. The attacks have created a climate of fear and discouragement, with vendors and shopkeepers hesitant to fully participate in festivities, limiting public celebrations and economic activity around the national holiday. The persistent threat of militant violence during national events has repeatedly overshadowed celebrations, affecting the community's sense of safety and normalcy during Independence Day.
References:
[1] Arab News, "Child survivor of Quetta train blast recalls horror," August 15, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1876221/world
[2] Dawn, "Quetta attack: Vendors wary of Independence Day stock," August 9, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.dawn.com/news/1631135
[3] The Express Tribune, "Quetta railway station suicide bombing," December 28, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2115639/quetta-railway-station-suicide-bombing/
[4] The News International, "Train hijacked in Quetta," January 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/869887-train-hijacked-in-quetta
The fear of another blast during Independence Day, following last year's tragic attack on the railway station, has led some vendors to withhold orders for Independence Day stock in Quetta. The Balochistan Liberation Army's claim of responsibility for previous attacks suggests that general-news, crime-and-justice, and political events could once again be marred by violence. The suspension of mobile Internet services in all 36 districts of Balochistan by the local government aims to hinder terrorists, further underscoring the ongoing need for security mechanisms such as the "multi-layer strategy" implemented by the Pakistani government. Despite these efforts, the threat of militant violence during national events like Independence Day persists, affecting the community's sense of safety and normalcy.
