Pakistan suffers from Balochistan insurgency

Pakistan is hardly recovering from the recent reaction to the Indian Army's 'Operation Sindoor'. The Indian Army's impeccable planning and fearless operations have subjected Pakistan's military apparatus to a lot of pressure. Even before Pakistan recovered from this blow, the Balochistan independence campaign has landed Pakistan in a fresh debacle. The Baloch separatist activists hoping for an independent Balochistan are now better organized and more aggressive. The 'Operation Heref 2.0' launched by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) recently has turned into a nightmare for Pakistan.

The BLA has claimed that in the past few days, they conducted as many as 78 attacks in 58 locations. Strategically significant sites have been targeted in each of these attacks - particularly army camps, observer posts, railway stations and national highways. This insurgent outfit is even testing Pakistan's internal intelligence grid.  The BLA leader stated that the moment has arrived to eliminate Pakistan's occupation. Unless Islamabad's forces withdraw, next year's attacks will be more hazardous

"Operation Herf 2.0" started on May 12. Earlier in Khuzdar district at Ornach Cross, the BLA took the national highway on May 10, and then carried out an attack on a Pakistani army post in Nokabad, Panjgur district the next day on May 11, wherein an exchange of com-bat continued for the next 25 days.Rocket launchers, grenades and heavy weapons were used. According to Pakistani media sources, at least two Pakistani soldiers were killed and five were injured in this battle.

Besides, the attacks were conducted consecutively in various regions of Balochistan - i.e., Garap and Parum Jain areas of the Kalat district. A number of Pakistani troops were martyred in IED blasts. The surveillance cameras and military technical equipment were destroyed.  The situation is so charged that the Pak Army has now retreated to the defensive position. As per military sources, the BLA also has an intelligence division of its own, which is far superior to the ISI in most spheres. The rebel outfit has already eliminated four Pakistani agents on espionage charges.

At the same time, the BLA has accused the Mathri army post in Kachi and the Sibir railway station of also being attacked. Though officially, nothing has been accepted by the Islamabad government. The absence of any specific statement from the Pakistani government and the army till now has left everyone confused about the incident.

In the meanwhile, so intense has the movement become that searches for "independent Balochistan" on Google searches have risen many times. Seizing the moment, a map of "independent Balochistan" has been circulated over social media, which not only includes the Baloch province of Pakistan but also that of Afghanistan and Iran. This map has generated an uproar internationally, particularly Iran and Afghanistan, which fear that their land will also be laid claim to in the future.

But though there have been many speculations regarding India's intervention in this movement, according to experts, India will not actively enter into this movement. Because actively entering into the issue of Balochistan might worsen India's diplomatic relations with Iran and Afghanistan. Though Baloch leaders have constantly made overtures to India for helping them, India has thus far remained stubbornly firm on its policy of strategic neutrality.

Nonetheless, the query remains - is Balochistan's independence feasible at all? Because Pakistan's nuclear stockpile is concealed in this territory. Therefore, Balochistan is crucial for Islamabad strategically as well as for security reasons. Meanwhile, most of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) traverses Balochistan, in which China has invested billions of dollars. Thus, the loss of this region will be a heavy setback to Pakistan, as well as to China's economic interests.

Tensions in Balochistan are gradually building up currently. National and international circles are observing each development in this region with concern. If Pakistan fails to resolve the issue politically, it might risk not only the internal crisis of the country but also the stability of the whole South Asia.