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Why Pakistan's Balochistan Continues to Grapple With Rising Militancy?
Why Pakistan's Balochistan Continues to Grapple With Rising Militancy?
Sputnik India
A series of at least six deadly attacks which killed workers from Punjab and security forces highlight aggravation in tensions between separatists and the state, warn analysts.
2024-08-30T19:48+0530
2024-08-30T19:48+0530
2024-08-30T20:12+0530
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The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the deadliest attack in recent history of Pakistan that took the lives of over 70 people, including security personnel, militants and civilians.In a statement, the group warned of more assaults, saying 800 of its well-trained fighters took part in the first phase of the shooting and bombing attacks that began late on Sunday and ended on Monday.The BLA called this operation "Haruf" which translates to "Dark Windy Storm". The group warned the second phase of the armed aggression would be "even more intense and widespread."Although this is not the first attack to take place in Balochistan this year targeting civilians, law enforcement personnel and state infrastructure, it is the deadliest. The government has already vowed retribution.The latest attack represent a shift in the group's scale and audacity, according to several analysts that Sputnik India spoke to.The BLA is made up of ethnic militants who want an independent state, a retired colonel in the Pakistan Armed Forces and security analyst, Khalid Zulfiqar, told Sputnik India.The latest massacre coincided with the 18th death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a former nationalist leader, governor and chief minister of Balochistan, who had joined the separatist movement in 2005.The Balochis in Pakistan and abroad honoured Akbar Bugti as he was a revered leader who advocated for their rights. He was killed in a military operation in August 2006 near his hometown of Dera Bugti.He added that latest attacks by BLA meant to send a clear warning to the Pakistani government, "to show that the armed groups’ influence seems to span the entire province."In response, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that there would be no peace talks with the group. He asserted that the security forces and law-enforcement agencies responded immediately to these attacks, especially in Musakhail, Kalat and Lasbela regions, and killed 21 terrorists in counter-operations.Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Quetta that the objective of the group's operations was to create "anarchy" in the province and to effectively make it ungovernable.Meanwhile, Pakistan's approval of foreign-backed resource projects in the province is the major source of contention between the BLA, similar militant groups and the country, an Islamabad-based politician told Sputnik India on condition of anonymity.The reason why Balochi nationalists opposed to the research of gold, minerals, and coal, is that they perceive these activities as exploitation of their homeland resources, which offer little in return, political observer and businessman Arsalan Khan explained in a conversation with Sputnik India.However, due to an intensification of misery in the province, many Balochis have left their home and moved to other cities or have relocated to some Western countries, where they continue to raise voices against the neglect of their needs and exploitation of their resources, fuelling a sense of betrayal amongst those who still reside in the province, including the militants who choose violence over dialogue, Khan added.Surge in Terrorism Since Rise of Afghan TalibanMeanwhile, the Gwadar, a deep-sea port, and the crown jewel of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which aims to provide a major trade link between southwestern China and the Arabian Sea, is located in the region.Pakistan's government stated that BLA separatists are foreign-funded militants and enemies of the country, who kill civilians and army personnel, creating unrest in the province, and disrupting the activities of the Chinese CPEC workers. This negatively affecting China's determination to work in Pakistan, Khan said.Further he added that such assaults put a stain on the state's ability to attract foreign investments, impacting business and tourism in the country, negatively affecting the already struggling economy.The recent attacks in Balochistan come at a time when terrorist violence has surged in Pakistan.Earlier, Pakistani officials stated that the Afghan Taliban has allowed militant groups, including TTP to find safe haven in the country, from where they are activating sleeper cells.More than 1,500 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Pakistan last year, triple the number before the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, a report by the South Asia Terrorism Portal reads. Consequently, the latest assaults in Balochistan have further caused detrimental effects to an already turbulent security situation in in the country.*a terrosrist organisation banned in Pakistan
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Why Pakistan's Balochistan Continues to Grapple With Rising Militancy?
19:48 30.08.2024 (Updated: 20:12 30.08.2024) A series of at least six deadly attacks in the region that killed workers from Punjab and security forces have highlighted an aggravation in tensions between separatists and the state, warn analysts.
The separatist
Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the deadliest attack in recent history of Pakistan that took the lives of over 70 people, including security personnel,
militants and civilians.
In a statement, the group warned of more assaults, saying 800 of its well-trained fighters took part in the first phase of the shooting and bombing attacks that began late on Sunday and ended on Monday.
The BLA called this operation "Haruf" which translates to "Dark Windy Storm". The group warned the second phase of the armed aggression would be "even more intense and widespread."
Although this is not the first
attack to take place in
Balochistan this year targeting civilians, law enforcement personnel and state infrastructure, it is the deadliest. The government has already vowed retribution.
The latest attack represent a shift in the group's scale and audacity, according to several analysts that Sputnik India spoke to.
The BLA is made up of ethnic militants who want an independent state, a retired colonel in the Pakistan Armed Forces and security analyst, Khalid Zulfiqar, told Sputnik India.
"The group is labelled a terrorist organisation by the UK, US, China and Pakistan. Now there is a rising threat to Punjabis that are traveling to Balochistan, which is unprecedented. Earlier, the BLA had attacked Chinese CPEC workers multiple times, making it clear that outsiders are not welcome in their province, but these recent murders of Punjabi workers point to changing nature of the attacks, as they are becoming more vicious, dangerous and closer to the border with [Pakistan's] Punjab province," Zulfiqar stated.
The latest massacre coincided with the 18th death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a former nationalist leader, governor and chief minister of Balochistan, who had joined the separatist movement in 2005.
The Balochis in Pakistan and abroad honoured Akbar Bugti as he was a revered leader who advocated for their rights. He was killed in a military operation in August 2006 near his hometown of Dera Bugti.
"Bugti's death became a symbol of resistance among the community, as he was very vocal against the exploitation of the province's rich natural resources by foreign governments and the right of self-determination. Although he was a hard man and tough to negotiate with, Balochis saw their leader in him and his killing escalated violence in the province," the colonel stated.
He added that latest attacks by BLA meant to send a clear warning to the Pakistani government, "to show that the armed groups’ influence seems to span the entire province."
In response, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that there would be no peace talks with the group. He asserted that the security forces and law-enforcement agencies responded immediately to these attacks, especially in Musakhail, Kalat and Lasbela regions, and killed 21 terrorists in counter-operations.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Quetta that the objective of the group's operations was to create "anarchy" in the province and to effectively make it ungovernable.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's approval of foreign-backed resource projects in the province is the major source of contention between the BLA, similar militant groups and
the country, an Islamabad-based politician told Sputnik India on condition of anonymity.
"Balochistan contributes substantial revenue to the federal government as it is rich in reserves of oil, coal, gold, copper, and gas but the province remains the nation’s most impoverished region. But, I don’t see how militants seek to improve the situation of their region with such attacks, they are just making things worse for the whole country, because now the army will wage war on them as it doesn’t tolerate terrorism," the source stated.
The reason why Balochi nationalists opposed to the research of gold, minerals, and coal, is that they perceive these activities as exploitation of their homeland
resources, which offer little in return, political observer and businessman Arsalan Khan explained in a conversation with
Sputnik India.However, due to an intensification of misery in the province, many Balochis have left their home and moved to other cities or have relocated to some Western countries, where they continue to raise voices against the neglect of their needs and exploitation of their resources, fuelling a sense of betrayal amongst those who still reside in the province, including the militants who choose
violence over dialogue, Khan added.
"The province is the largest in Pakistan and it is home to some 15 million Balochis, but many live in abject poverty because there is very little development, poor infrastructure, bad job market and no good universities in the area," Khan stressed.
Surge in Terrorism Since Rise of Afghan Taliban
Meanwhile, the Gwadar, a deep-sea port, and the crown jewel of the $60 billion
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which aims to provide a major trade link between southwestern China and the
Arabian Sea, is located in the region
.Pakistan's government stated that BLA separatists are foreign-funded militants and enemies of the country, who kill civilians and army personnel, creating unrest in the province, and disrupting the activities of the
Chinese CPEC workers. This negatively affecting China's determination to work in Pakistan, Khan said.
Further he added that such assaults put a stain on the state's ability to attract foreign investments, impacting business and tourism in the country, negatively affecting the already struggling economy.
The recent attacks in Balochistan come at a time when terrorist violence has surged in Pakistan.
The reason behind this is the power shift in Afghanistan, after Taliban came to power, which activated the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP*) and other militant groups such as the BLA," the retired colonel stressed.
Earlier, Pakistani officials stated that the Afghan Taliban has allowed militant groups, including TTP to find safe haven in the country, from where they are activating sleeper cells.
More than 1,500 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Pakistan last year, triple the number before the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, a report by the South Asia Terrorism Portal reads. Consequently, the latest assaults in Balochistan have further caused detrimental effects to an already turbulent security situation in in the country.
*a terrosrist organisation banned in Pakistan
