From Insurgency to Resentment, The Root Cause of All Evils in Balochistan

Islamab – On Monday, Pakistan's second-largest naval air station, PNS Siddique in Turbat, underwent a heavy attack, which was marked by intense gunfire and multiple explosions. According to Balochistan Post, Majeed Brige of proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for attack on Naval Airbase, which is known for its strategic importance to Pakistan.

In incident that commenced at 10:30 pm (local time) on Monday, security sources noted that 4-5 BLA Terrorists armed with automatic weapons and hand grenes attacked, which eventually led to an intense fire exchange with security personnel present at outer wall of station. In light of this, District Health Officer of Kech has declared an emergency at Teaching Hospital in Turbat, Baloch Post reported. All medical staff were ordered to report to hospital immediately to take care of anticipated casualties from assault.

It is pertinent to note that Majeed Brige is opposed to China’s investments in province of Balochistan and has accused China and Pakistan of exploiting region's vital resources. What makes Turbat Naval Airbase so important is fact it stations Chinese drones. “We have entered Pakistani Naval Airbase in Turbat," BLA Majeed Brige said in an email to Baloch Post. 

Who are Majeed Brige?

According to Jamestown Foundation, group was named after two brors, Majeed Langove Senior and Majeed Langove Junior, who were responsible for carrying out suicide attacks in August 1974 and March 2010, respectively. In past Majeed Senior has attempted to assassinate former Pakistani Prime Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto while he was on an official visit to Quetta. He wanted to kill erstwhile premier after Bhutto dismissed National Awami Party’s government in Balochistan. Meanwhile, Majeed Junior sacrificed himself to save his associates when Pakistani security forces raided house where y were staying in Quetta’s Wahdat Colony.

Following Majeed Junior’s killing, BLA’s now-late leer, Aslam Achu, established insurgent group’s suicide squ and labelled it as Majeed Brige. group carried out its first vehicle-borne suicide attack in December 2011, when a man named Baaz Khan Marri targeted Shafeeq Mengal, son of former Pakistani federal minister Naseer Mengal, on Quetta’s Arbab Ro. However, in span of a few years, Majeed Brige went into dormancy due to a lack of funds and recruits. It eventually took group seven years to carry out its second suicide attack when a bus carrying Chinese engineers was targeted in Dalbin in August 2018, Dawn reported.

root cause of Baloch issues

It is a known fact that ever since Pakistan became an independent nation, it has remained at cusp of myri troubles. Amid all this, Pakistan-ministered region of Balochistan has witnessed significant mayhem over years. Two major points of  reflection can appear in this context:

1. rise of violence and Baloch insurgency
2. Local resentments

region’s deteriorating security situation

Within forty-eight hours of abrogation of five-month-long ceasefire between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Pakistan Government, re was a suicide bombing in Balochistan’s capital, Quetta. attack indicated how region has become one of major targets for rical groups. However, region has been accustomed to violence due to increasing belligerence of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as well as Baloch Liberation Front (BLF). ongoing station in Balochistan is largest phase of insurgency South Asia has witnessed in its recent history.

BLA was formed in 2000 and has conducted several violent attacks since mid-2000s. group has been fighting against Pakistani ministration for a better share of resources and self-autonomy – sometimes y have also vocated for separation or independence from Pakistan. Due to its violent activities, group has been marked as a terror organisation by governments of Pakistan, United States and United Kingdom. 

BLF, on or hand, has been active and coalescing with BLA to fight against Pakistani government. extremist group is a much older organisation which was formed in 1964. main objective of body was to fight for independence of Balochistan and was at forefront of Baloch insurgent movement in 1970s. group re-emerged in mid-2000s, determined to fight for Baloch cause.  Toger, along with factions of BLA and Baloch Republican Guard, y formed Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) in 2018. growing prominence of se groups has led to rise of terror activities. According to Global Terrorism Index, 233 deaths were recorded as a consequence of BLA terror activities in 2022, a nine-fold increase since 2021.

plight of Baloch People

One of core issues of Baloch movement has been alienation of local Baloch population at hands of federal governments. territory was said to have been annexed by Pakistan in 1948 when Khan of Kalat was pressured to sign accession agreement. Since n,  Balochis have continued more power over mselves ranging from greater autonomy to complete separation from Pakistan. While Balochistan is largest of four provinces in Pakistan, due to its sparse population, ministrative unit accounts for only 17 seats in National Assembly.

What makes region so crucial is its rich resources such as gas, and is strategically crucial for Islamab. In light of this, people of Balochistan have often claimed that Pakistani ministration is exploiting region's resources, but y are refusing to give any benefits to locals. As a result of this, ministrative unit has a reason for ‘all-weared friendship between China and Pakistan.

In 2022, Haq do Tehreek (HDT) movement led to a massive 50-day sit-in protest at port and international airport at Gwar. Most of people in region were trying to protect fishing rights of Baloch people, decreasing checkpoints in city, putting an end to deep-sea illegal trawling and facilitating better tre at Pakistan-Iran border. A similar uprising took place in 2023 when Balochistan’s Finance Minister, Zmarak Achakzai threatened n-Pak regime that region would cut off supply from Sui gas field in province. Sui gas field was touted as an important source of gas for country. In same year, Turbat marches took over country with people demanding more rights and autonomy in region. Hence, resentment among Balochis towards Pakistani regime became one of reasons for turbulence.