U.S. officials classify BLA separatists in Pakistan as terrorists
In the southwestern region of Pakistan, the province of Balochistan continues to grapple with an insurgency that has its roots in a complex mix of historical, political, economic, social, and external factors.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, is home to the Sunni Muslim ethnic minority known as the Baloch. The region is rich in natural resources, yet it remains the least developed province with the highest poverty, infant/maternal mortality, and lowest literacy rates. This economic inequality and neglect have fueled perceptions of exploitation and neglect among the local population.
The Baloch people seek greater provincial autonomy, with some groups demanding outright independence due to perceptions of political exclusion and denial of rights. The dismissal of Balochistan’s provincial government and the imposition of martial law in 1973 sparked earlier phases of insurgency. The desire to honor tribal codes, assert ethnic recognition, and resist perceived assimilation also motivates many militants.
The Pakistani state’s military operations, including harsh crackdowns, intelligence-based operations, and border securitization, have inflamed local resentment and reinforced the insurgency. Foreign involvement and regional dynamics also play a significant role. Pakistan accuses India, the US, and others of supporting Baloch separatists to destabilize the country, though these countries deny it. Some Baloch leaders have accepted aid from neighboring countries. The Afghanistan-Pakistan borderlands’ instability, including sanctuary for militants like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), further complicates security.
The BLA, the largest militant group operating in Balochistan, is responsible for several attacks resulting in civilian and security personnel casualties, such as the deadly attack on a train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in March. The US has designated the BLA and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, a move that is expected to tighten scrutiny of its supporters in the US and Europe.
Recently, the US formally designated the BLA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, coinciding with a visit to Washington by Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The designation comes amidst a trade agreement between the US and Pakistan that is expected to allow American firms to help develop Pakistan's oil reserves in Balochistan.
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Pakistan remains a steadfast bulwark against terrorism. However, violence continues in Balochistan, with at least nine Pakistani soldiers killed in a militant attack on a police station and border force compound in southwestern Balochistan just this week.
The ongoing insurgency in Balochistan is a protracted and multi-dimensional conflict fueled by economic deprivation, lack of political representation, ethnic identity assertion, state repression, and regional geopolitical struggles. Understanding these complex factors is crucial to finding a lasting solution to the conflict.
References:
- International Crisis Group. (2018). Pakistan: Balochistan’s Insurgency. https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/pakistan/239-pakistan-balochistan-s-insurgency
- The Diplomat. (2021). Pakistan, US Sign Trade Agreement Amidst Escalating Tensions. https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/pakistan-us-sign-trade-agreement-amidst-escalating-tensions/
- Al Jazeera. (2021). US designates Balochistan Liberation Army as a terrorist group. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/8/us-designates-balochistan-liberation-army-as-a-terrorist-group
- The Express Tribune. (2021). Pakistan accuses India of funding Balochistan insurgency. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2281869/pakistan-accuses-india-of-funding-balochistan-insurgency
- The News International. (2018). Balochistan’s insurgency: A historical perspective. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/430293-balochistans-insurgency-a-historical-perspective
- In light of the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, the recent designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US could potentially intensify conflicts between America and Europe and Balochistan, particularly as American firms look to develop Pakistan's oil reserves in the province.
- The ongoing instability in Balochistan, coupled with allegations of foreign involvement and regional dynamics, has added a layer of complexity to Europe's general news coverage, with the latter being increasingly focused on the region's war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice issues.
- As Balochistan, located in southwestern Pakistan, experiences an insurgency rooted in historical, political, economic, social, and external factors, the general world population, including those living in America, become more aware of and concerned about the human rights violations, political exclusion, and denial of rights faced by the Baloch people.
