In terms of geography, Pakistan’s largest province is Balochistan, which is the least inhabited but is the richest in resources. It shares boundaries with other provinces and, to the south, extends along a lengthy coastline that meets the Arabian Sea. Its borders with Afghanistan and Iran are 814 km and 1096 km long, respectively. Baloch culture is predominantly tribal, extremely patriarchal, and conservative. Tribal chieftains, known as Mirs, Sardars, and Nawabs, control the majority of the society and have been criticized for preventing the advancement of education and self-determination among the people of Balochistan. They fear that the status quo will be challenged.
Additionally, the province of Balochistan experiences significant challenges such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and environmental issues, exacerbating the complexities of stability and development. Jamaldini (a Balochistan resident) told Al Jazeera that there are no essential basics in this province, this province lacks the bare needs. There is no appropriate law and order, no security. In several parts of the province, the Jirga (tribe council) system is still in place.” Balochistan’s native population is estimated to be 14 million. For years, they have lamented their marginalization. In response to this, several insurgencies have occurred in Balochistan, most of which have been officially attributed to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), since its formation.
Although the BLA is a militant group fighting for the separation of Balochistan. Its ongoing insurgencies have a significantly endangered the safety and security of citizens. The continued terrorist assaults have raised uncertainties about the stability and governance of the region. The impact of these attacks spreads beyond local communities, affecting national security and international relations as armed organizations exploit the socio-political environment.
It just makes me wonder, Is Balochistan a safe place to visit or live? The BLA’s growing insurgencies may seem to address Balochistan’s ongoing crises, but these short-term gains come at a significant cost to the province’s long-term survival. Given the BLA’s historical roots in violence, its actions continue to lead to the economic and social detriment of the region.
Critics argue that the timeline of the Baloch conflict illustrates a long-standing struggle marked by multiple insurgencies and escalating violence over the decades. According to The Express Tribune, in 1948 the first Baloch insurgency took place, following the annexation of Balochistan by Pakistan after the partition of India, when the Khan of Kalat declared independence, prompting military action by Pakistan. The second insurgency unfolded between 1973 and 1977, ignited by the abrogation of the 1970 autonomy agreement and the formation of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), leading to a severe crackdown by the Pakistani military.
The 2000s saw the emergence of the BLA as an organized armed resistance, marked by increased attacks on military installations. According to Al Jazeera, the assassination of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti by the Pakistani Army in 2006 heightened tensions and triggered intensified BLA assaults. Later in 2013, the BLA claimed responsibility for multiple attacks, including a devastating suicide bombing in Quetta that resulted in over 80 fatalities, primarily among security forces. Violence escalated in 2018, with BLA operations targeting Chinese nationals and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), prompting a robust military response.
The situation further deteriorated in 2020 when the Pakistan Army launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasad to eradicate BLA hideouts, leading to significant clashes and casualties. In 2021, BLA attacks continued, including a high-profile strike on a military convoy that resulted in numerous deaths. As of 2023, the conflict remains unresolved, with ongoing military operations and BLA assaults perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability in the region. By 2024, more than 70 people have been killed in four assaults, with several reported incidents of violence in Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan, according to military and police officials. This timeline highlights the complexity and persistence of the Baloch conflict, reflecting deep-rooted issues in the region.
Contrastingly, proponents argue that although the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is frequently perceived through a conflictual and violent lens, it also represents a nuanced story of advocacy and struggle on behalf of the Baloch people. BLA’s ability to advocate for greater autonomy and recognition of their cultural identity, as well as drawing attention to the historical injustices encountered by the Baloch people, is one of the good aspects of its existence on a global scale. For example, the BLA has played a significant role in highlighting the political and cultural concerns faced by the Baloch population.
The International Crisis Group reported that the BLA has highlighted the grievances of the Baloch people, drawing attention to issues of political marginalization and cultural suppression. Important conversations about the necessity of political changes and the defense of minority rights in Pakistan have been spurred by this effort. The BLA presents itself as a movement of resistance against what it perceives as the foreign and central government’s exploitation of Balochistan’s abundant natural resources. by drawing attention to these problems, the BLA has spurred important discussions on fair resource distribution and the ethical management of region’s reserves.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, “the BLA’s insurgency is partly fueled by the perception that the central government and foreign companies are extracting resources from Balochistan without benefiting the local population.” The BLA has had a major role in the mobilization of Baloch nationalism, which has strengthed the Baloch people’s feeling of identity and solidarity. By promoting political awareness and participation, this mobilization gives Baloch communities the ability to formally and collectively defend their rights and interests. “The BLA has galvanized a sense of Baloch identity and unity, encouraging communities to organize and advocate for their rights,” writes journalist Ahmed Rashid, highlighting this influence. Therefore, even though the BLA’s tactics are frequently controversial, its significance for Baloch identity and rights cannot be understated.
To sum up, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is a militant group fighting for the independence of Balochistan. It characterizes itself as a political body that fights for the rights of Baloch people. But since its emergence in the late 1990s, the BLA has engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Pakistani military, targeting security forces and infrastructure projects, particularly those associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Pakistan Army has responded with military operations aimed at suppressing the BLA, leading to casualties and raising human rights concerns, including allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The conflict remains ongoing and is characterized by periodic escalations in violence and a tense atmosphere in the region, which directly jeopardizes safety, making peace a cry of the poor in Balochistan.
