while it has also become routine to blow up railway lines, gas pipelines and electric polls. Barhamdakh Bugti, grandson of slain Nawab Akbar Bugti and commander of Balochistan Republican Army recently said that he will accept foreign military aid against Pakistan Army which is continuing military operation in his areas. He further added he give more importance to the security and integrity of Balochistan instead of Pakistan. He said he will not tolerate more maltreatment of federation and Punjab with Balochistan.
It is worth to mention a shutter down strike had been observed in entire Balochistan against the military operation and killings of innocent people.
Baloch Liberation Army:
Baloch Liberation Army(BLA) is a group of former Balochistan National Awami(public) Party, which was led by Nawab Khair Bukhsh Khan Murri. He has been struggling politically against military operations in Balochistan for long. However, after killings of tens of hundreds of Balochs and their sufferings, Baloch considers it suitable to demand their right of self determination from Pakistan.
Balochistan, politically has been fell prey of unrest and instability since 1948. Different governments of Pakistan launched military operations in this province on different times. Military operations remained continued from 1948 to 1958, 1963 to 1968, 1973 to 1977 and the military operation which started a few years back, is continuing to date in the areas of Dera Bugti, Kohlu and Uch. Due to military operations, collateral damages forced the local to migrate to safe areas of Balochistan or some adjacent areas of the Punjab. Two armed outfits established by the Baloch nationalists in the name of Baloch Liberation Army and Baloch Republican Army to take revenge from Pakistan Army and Punjabis. Baloch Liberation Army(BLA) is continuing its subversive operations under the leadership of main people from Murri tribe. After military operations, the main people of this group shifted to Afghanistan and set up base camp in Kandhar Afghanistan from where the leadership of this group leads all activities of the group. Last year, Balach Murri, who was allegedly chief commander of BLA was killed in Afghanistan. All Baloch organizations blame Pakistani security agencies for his killing. Following the death of Balach Murri, the resistance movement got impetus and target killings have increased in different areas of Balochistan. After the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation, the armed resistance organizations forged an alliance. Balochistan National Party, headed by former Chief Minister Balochistan Sardar Atta Ullah Mangal has also started armed resistance and supporting the BLA. Its fighters are engaged in the areas of Langu, Khuzdar, Turbat and South Western Balochistan.
Baloch Republican Army( BRA):
This armed organization is headed by Barahamdakh Bugti, grandson of Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was killed in a military operation a few years back.
Following the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, the resistance movement of BRA has increased. This outfit is engaged in the areas of Dera Bugti, Nawashki, Chaghi, and Quetta, and targeting the security personnel and government installations. Indian secret agency RAW is supporting financially and militarily to both the armed outfits BLA and BRA. These outfits’ bases are set up in Kandhar, Afghanistan where their men are imparted military training etc. Some influential figures are also of the view that Americans are also supporting these armed organizations meaning thereby the US is also involved in anti-Pakistan activities through support to such outfits. At present, the main purpose of the Americans’ involvement is to oust Chinese from Balochistan’s development projects.
Greater Balochistan, separatist movement:
Geographically, Balochistan is divided into three regions. One region is called external Sistan or Chakinsoor which is now part of Afghanistan. Second part Sistan Balochistan is part of Islamic Republic of Iran. These both areas are called Western Balochistan. The main and third part of Balochistan is Balochistan province according to the Constitution of Pakistan. However, Baloch nationalists called it Eastern Balochistan.
The history of Balochistan is quite different from other provinces of Pakistan. Balochistan is not part of South Asia or Indo-Pak subcontinent geographically and culturally. Its geographical link is with Iranian geography( Middle East). It is separated by Indus, Gomal and Sulmania, Kairthar mountains from South Asia. The Baloch language belongs to Persian origin, while its people, Baloch tribes also culturally are close to the people of Persian Gulf region.
Balochistan’s area is 44% of Pakistan’s total area. This province is full of natural resources and has link with a long coastal strip of sea. Pakistan’s economy depends on this coastal strip which is gate way to South Asia, Central Asia and Middle East, which is why, it has great importance with context to trade and defence. Pakistani government did not give the significance to Baloch people since independence. The injustices committed with Baloch people forced them to consider themselves as colony of Pakistan or Punjab. Today nationalist parties of Balochistan are part of separatist movement, while some international powers are also backing such negative forces. If Pakistani officials sitting in Islamabad did not try to understand the issue of Balochistan in the perspective of historical facts, Pakistan may suffer another tragedy like fall of Dacca, the separation of East Pakistan.
Foreign Interference in Balochistan:
The secret agencies of many countries are involved in Balochistan to safeguard their interests and are involved in provision of funds and arms to different armed groups. These agencies are using these groups for their nefarious designs.
The involvement of Indian RAW
The outlawed armed groups of Balochistan, BLA and BRA are funded and trained by Indian RAW. The leadership of these groups often remains on Indian tour clandestinely. The bases of BRA and BLA in Kandhar are operating in the supervision of RAW. The agents of Indian secret agency are involved in subversive activities such as target killing, worsening of law and order. The spreading of hate against Pakistan Army and Federation, besides promoting the separatist movement in Balochistan which are the main targets of RAW. The websites of BLA and greater Balochistan are updated from India. The Indian consulate offices in Afghanistan are operating for the sole purpose of supporting subversive and anti-Pakistan activities in Balochistan. In recent weeks, Indian opened another consulate office in Spinboldick, border city of Afghanistan at Pakistani border, for which staff recruited through an advertisement. After bombing in Kabul outside of Indian embassy, New Delhi announced to send its about 30,000/ troops in Afghanistan. The Indian army will apparently be deployed for the protection of Indian diplomatic missions, personnel deployed on developmental projects, but actually the troopers will be assigned duty at Afghan borders with Pakistan. It is feared that these Indian troopers will use Baloch nationalist organizations and armed groups to further destablize Balochistan.
The US involvement in Balochistan:
Balochistan, geographically is situated at very important place at the map of South Asia. Its about 1800km long border is joining Pakistan and Afghanistan from Zhob to Chaghai while its about 400km long border is with Iran. Its coastal strip is touching Arabian ocean. This province is replete with natural resources like coal, natural gas, gold, oil, silver, iron and many other minerals. Owing to Gwadar deepsea port, this part of the world has become gateway for Central Asia and Afghanistan to reach out the Middle East and the world rich continent, Europe. Keeping in view the minerals and its geographical position, many world powers, especially the US is focusing its eyes on the soil of Balochistan.
Balochistan’s under grounds layers are rich with the most needed energy resource, oil. The experts of geology believe that the oil of Balochistan is flowing into Iran and then Iraq from where it is drilled and supplied to world economies. On the other hand, Pakistan and Baloch people are deprived of from the wealth of oil, while very few portion of gas could be utilized. The development project of ‘Sandack’ for gold and silver is yet to be fully exploited where Chinese firms are working. Most of the minerals of Balochistan are yet to be explored and exploited. The Baloch are complaining of non-payment of royalty to them on gas and other resources by the federal government. They complain of ignoring them in the development works which are in progress in Balochistan due to which they lack job opportunity. Due to law and order problem, foreign companies are reluctant to invest in exploration process in Balochistan.
The American’s nefarious designs are proven by this one example that American think tank prepared a world map showing Greater Balochistan while ignored the existence of Pakistan in 2015. In the context of existing geo-political situation, when Americans are sitting in Afghanistan and are threatening Iran, the importance of Balochistan is increased for Americans.
The American fleet Abraham Lincoln is harboring in international sea near Gwadar to cope with any emergency situation. Americans are also constructing a new air base in Ormara Creek, while another base is also being built at Bochik in the area of Chaghi from where the US security experts will be able to monitor the developments in nearby Iran, and Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda. They will be able to stop trafficing of Taliban and Al Qaeda between Afghanistan and Iran and Iraq. In this area, America is supporting Jund Ullah armed group which is involved in subversive activities in Iranian areas. Americans have increased their military strength at Shamsi Air Base in Dalbadin in terms of personnel and fighter jets.
Recently, the US increased its military strength at Khalid Airbase at Quetta. The military strength is as under here:
The security personnel: 20
Helicopters : 08
Saseena Fighter jets: 04
The US wants to launch military operation at a time on both side of Pak-Afghan border to crush Taliban and Al Qaeda. Pakistan’s provincial capital Quetta and Chamman are under the threat of US operation. Although Taliban are silent in these areas but if military operation is launched here, its devastated results will come out. Taliban leadership is hiding here and all sort of planning for operations in Afghanistan are finalized in the camps and hideouts in these areas.
Iranian involvement in Balochistan:
Iran’s interference in Balochistan is not so much as compared to the United States, but Iran is supporting Shiite and Hazara communities. These communities are living in and around Quetta. They have complete control over the business there. Iran has equipped Shiite and Hazara communities against Taliban. Educational institutions are also under influence of these people. It is always feared that any time clashes between these communities and Taliban, Pushtoon may occur. Iran gets information about the US activities through these people.
Afghan Involvement in Balochistan:
Afghan intelligence agents in collaboration with Indian Agency RAW are fully active in Balochistan. They are providing funds, weapons to anti-Pakistan forces and elements in this province. Pakistani intelligence agencies have many times arrested Aghan agents red handed. An intelligence agency director of Kandhar and many others are still in the custody of Pakistani intelligence agencies. BLA and BRA’s people are trained and equipped in Kandhar by RAW and Afghan agency. Many times Pakistan demanded of Afghan government to extradite required absconders to Pakistan but Afghan government had refused in the name of guests and Afghan traditions. In the past, the leaders and other people of Murri and Mangal tribes have been run away to Afghanistan and had got refugee there, from where they have gone to India.
China in Balochistan:
After attacks on Chinese engineers and developmental companies, China has limited its activities in Balochistan. America and many other countries who have vested interests in Balochistan do not want China’s involvement in Balochistan. At present, China is involved in only two development projects of Sandak and road constructions from Gwadar to Turbet. A bridge at ‘Talab’ is being constructed under the supervision of Chinese engineers. Gwadar airport project was also given to Chinese companies but now local Pakistani companies are working on this project. Chinese have completely been pulled out from Gwadar. |
