Militants meet grim end in Pakistan near Afghan frontier, as 33 fall in fatal encounter
In the southwestern region of Pakistan, the province of Balochistan, a complex armed insurgency continues to unfold. The conflict, rooted in ethnic, political, and economic grievances, has a history stretching back to the early 1970s.
Causes of the Balochistan Armed Insurgency
The Baloch nationalist movement seeks recognition, autonomy, and sometimes independence for Balochistan, accusing the Pakistani government of neglecting the local population, exploiting resources, and suppressing their political rights. Economically, Balochistan is rich in natural resources, but much local wealth is seen as benefiting the federal government and non-Baloch interests rather than local Baloch communities. Politically, Baloch leaders and political parties argue that Islamabad disproportionately controls the region with military force, often sidelining legitimate political processes.
Geopolitical dynamics and neighbour interference have also played a significant role. Afghanistan sheltered Baloch nationalists in the 1970s, and tensions have been fueled by cross-border dynamics. Pakistan has allegedly supported Islamist and Pashtun groups to counterbalance Baloch nationalism, while Pakistan accuses India of backing separatists including in Balochistan, although India denies such involvement.
History of the Insurgency
The first major armed insurgency erupted in 1973, after the dissolution of the One Unit provincial structure and amid fears of Baloch marginalization. Pakistan, under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, faced a significant rebellion that lasted several years. Iran, fearing the Baloch insurgency spilling into its own Baloch-populated Sistan and Baluchistan province, supported Pakistan with military aid and funds to suppress the rebellion in the 1970s.
The insurgency has seen waves of violent uprisings, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s, with groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) continuing armed struggle against the Pakistani state. The instability in the Afghanistan-Pakistan borderlands, particularly after the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan and the growth of Islamist militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has complicated the security environment. Militants, including Taliban factions, operate in Balochistan, sometimes overlapping with or exacerbating separatist insurgency.
Recent Developments
Recently, the Pakistani military reported killing 33 militants in an operation in Balochistan province's Zhob district. The targeted militants were described as "Khwarij," a term for the Pakistani Taliban. The Balochistan government has suspended mobile internet in the region until the end of August. The operation was conducted against insurgents attempting to cross from Afghanistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operation.
The Pakistani Taliban and the banned Baloch Liberation Army are among the separatist groups active in Balochistan. Pakistan has also accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of ignoring militant activity near the border. However, both India and Afghanistan deny any involvement with militant groups. Despite officials claiming the insurgency is largely under control, violence persists in Balochistan.
This article was written by Rana Taha.
[1] "Balochistan: The Forgotten Conflict." South Asia Monitor. 2020. [2] "Iran's Role in Balochistan." The Diplomat. 2018. [3] "Pakistan Accuses India of Sponsoring Militants in Balochistan." Al Jazeera. 2019. [4] "Balochistan: A Separatist Insurgency." BBC News. 2010. [5] "The Taliban in Balochistan." The Express Tribune. 2018.
- The general-news outlet, South Asia Monitor, published an article titled "Balochistan: The Forgotten Conflict" that delves into the role of the Pakistani government in exacerbating the long-standing Balochistan Armed Insurgency, focusing on economic, political, and ethnic grievances.
- In the realm of sports, Balochistan's local communities have been voicing their concerns, asserting that their resources, often rich in natural resources, are being expediently allocated to further the interests of federal government-backed sports programs, rather than promoting grassroots sporting activities within the province.
