Insurgency in Balochistan

The Balochistan conflict is an ongoing conflict between Baloch nationalists and the governments of Pakistan and Iran in the Balochistan region of South - West Asia, which includes Balochistan Province in southwestern Pakistan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran, and the Balochistan region of southern Afghanistan . Balochi demands include greater autonomy, increased royalties from natural resources and provincial revenue, and in some cases full independence. There have been many claims of human rights abuses. The belligerent groups operate in the Pakistani and Iranian parts of the region, and in southern Afghanistan. In the 2010s , attacks against the Shia community by sectarian groups—though not always directly related to the political struggle—have been on the rise, contributing to tensions in Balochistan. In Pakistan's Balochistan province, insurgencies by Baloch nationalists have been fought in 1948, 1958-59, 1962-63 and 1973-77 — with a new ongoing and reportedly stronger, broader insurgency beginning in 2003. This insurgency gained strength in conjunction with the deteriorating law and order situation in neighboring Afghanistan and instability at the Federal level. Insurgents had attacked "almost all prime installations" of the Pakistani government, including the military cantonment in Quetta, Balochistan's capital; important government buildings and "killed senior government officials". As of May 2015, one foreign-based Baloch journalist (Malik Siraj Akbar) calls anger over military operations among people in the province "growing and often uncontrollable". Although it has vast natural resources, Balochistan is one of Pakistan’s poorest regions. Baloch separatists allege that the central government of Pakistan is systematically suppressing development in Balochistan in order to keep the Balochs weak, whilst their opponents argue that international business interests have been unwilling to invest in the region due to the continuing unrest. The Balochistan Liberation Army , identified as a terrorist organization by Pakistan, Britain, and other governments, is the most widely-known Baloch separatist group. Since 2000 it has conducted numerous deadly attacks on Pakistani troops, police, and civilians. Other separatist groups include Lashkar-e-Balochistan and the Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF). In 2005, a rebellion by Baloch against the Islamic Republic of Iran began. The fight over the IRI Baloch region bordering Pakistan, has "not gained" as much ground as the conflict in Pakistan. The East Moves West: India, China, and Asia's Growing Presence in the Middle East (1st ed.). Proscibed Terrorist Organisations , Home Office (Government of the United Kingdom) "Balochistan: "We only receive back the bodies" " . Quetta. 7 April 2012. : Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored ( |url-status= suggested) ( help ) "Waking up to the war in Balochistan" . The civil war has left thousands dead - including non-Baloch settlers and has gone on for the past nine years, but it hardly made the news in Pakistan, let alone abroad. ANU College of Law . The current insurgency which started in 2003-04 is also more organized and well equipped than the earlier ones, and more violent. One of the unique features of this is the target killing of the Punjabi settlers by the Baluch militant nationalist groups who view Punjabi settlers as outsiders and supporters and agents of the state. December 2010. militant Baloch groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF) seeking separation or autonomy for Balochistan have targeted Punjabis and other minorities, particularly in the districts of Mastung, Kalat, Nushki, Gwadar, Khuzdar, and Quetta. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS REVIEW . 20 (3): 106 .

The Insurgency in Balochistan is a low-intensity insurgency waged by Baloch nationalists against the governments of Pakistan and Iran in the Balochistan region , which covers the Balochistan Province in southwestern Pakistan , Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran , and the Balochistan region of southern Afghanistan . Rich in natural resources like natural gas, oil, coal, copper, sulphur, fluoride and gold, this is the largest and least developed province in Pakistan. Armed groups demand greater control of the province's natural resources and political autonomy. Baloch separatists have attacked civilians from other ethnicities throughout the province. In the 2010s, attacks against the Shi'a community by sectarian groups —though not always directly related to the political struggle—have risen, contributing to tensions in Balochistan. In Pakistan's Balochistan province, insurgencies by Baloch nationalists have been fought in 1948, 1958–59, 1962–63 and 1973–1977, with an ongoing low-level insurgency beginning in 2003. This insurgency has begun to weaken. In an article titled "The End of Pakistan's Baloch Insurgency?", Baloch analyst Malik Siraj Akbar reported that Baloch militants had begun killing their own commanders. However, Akbar called anger towards Pakistani Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch "growing and often uncontrollable". Baloch militants have taken some reconciliation offers from the government and offered to hand in their weapons. In April 2016, four militant commanders and 144 militants had surrendered under reconciliation. 600 rebels were killed and 1,025 surrendered after accepting reconciliation as of August 2016. In April 2017, another 500 Baloch rebels surrendered to the state, including members of BRA , UBA , and LeB . Baloch separatists argue they are economically marginalised and poor compared to the rest of Pakistan. Being crucial for Pakistan's economic future, China has invested $46 billion in the region . The Balochistan Liberation Army , designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States , is the most widely known Baloch terrorist group. Since 2000 it has conducted numerous deadly attacks on Pakistani military troops, police, journalists, civilians and education institutions. Other separatist groups include Lashkar-e-Balochistan and the Balochistan Liberation United Front (BLUF). By 2005, the rebellion by Baloch separatists had once again resurged in Iran. The fight over the Iranian Baloch region bordering Pakistan has "not gained" as much ground as the conflict in Pakistan. Human rights activists have accused nationalist militants and the Government of Pakistan of human rights abuses in its suppression of the insurgency. The News International reported in 2012 that a Gallup survey conducted for DFID revealed that the majority of Baloch people do not support independence from Pakistan. Only 37 percent of Baloch were in favour of independence. Amongst Balochistan's Pashtun population, support for independence was even lower at 12 percent. However, a majority (67 percent) of Balochistan's population did favour greater provincial autonomy. The government has since taken democratization steps, and in 2013 provincial elections were held and a Grand Alliance of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pashtun and Baloch local parties were formed. The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered local government elections to be held which by 2015 helped to further decentralize policy making for the local population regarding health, education and sanitation, the ruling coalition re-affirmed its mandate in the Balochistan province and won the majority. A survey in 2009 by PEW found that 58% of respondents in Balochistan chose ″Pakistani″ as their primary mode of identification, 32% chose their ethnicity and 10% chose both equally. "Since January 2008, military has conducted no operation in Balochistan," said Gen Abbas, dispelling a perception that the army was still in the field there. Dawn News . 7 September 2013. 'Not a single soldier of Pakistan Army is involved in any operation in Balochistan,' Gen Kayani said. "Terrorist Designations of Balochistan Liberation Army and Husain Ali Hazzima and Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of Jundallah" . Afghan officials confirmed that General Raziq had housed Baluch separatist leaders in Kandahar for years. The Baloch separatist Aslam Baloch was living in Afghanistan's Kandahar province since 2005 "BLA commander Aslam Baloch killed in Kandahar bombings, say sources" . Terrorism Report: MEK and Jundallah" . The largest province of the country by area, Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by ethnic Baloch separatists. Kalati claimed that he had been fighting for independence of Balochistan since 1970 and spent 45 years on mountains. 'Now I have realised that this fight has been launched by tribal chiefs to protect their own interests,' he said, adding that internal fighting among leaders of banned organisations had helped him to come to that conclusion. The Swiss chargesheet, according to papers seen by this reporter, said Marri was 'a Pakistani national of Great Britain' associated with militant groups. It claimed that that the UBA 'collaborated with the terrorist movement Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) under Brahmadagh Bugti'. The Wall Street Journal . "We are the Walking Dead" – Killings of Shia Hazara in Balochistan, Pakistan . The East Moves West: India, China, and Asia's Growing Presence in the Middle East (1st ed.). Home Office (Government of the United Kingdom). The civil war has left thousands dead – including non-Baloch settlers and has gone on for the past nine years, but it hardly made the news in Pakistan, let alone abroad. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 October 2014. separatist organizations such as the Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army have claimed responsibility for some of the 27 journalists killed in targeted assassinations since 2007 G.

The Insurgency in Balochistan is an insurgency or revolt by Baloch nationalists and Islamist militants against the governments of Pakistan and Iran in the Balochistan region , which covers the Balochistan Province in southwestern Pakistan , Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran , and the Balochistan region of southern Afghanistan . Rich in natural resources like natural gas, oil, coal, copper, sulphur, fluoride and gold, this is the largest, least populated and least developed province in Pakistan. Armed groups demand greater control of the province's natural resources and political autonomy. Baloch separatists have attacked civilians from other ethnicities throughout the province. In the 2010s, attacks against the Shia community by sectarian groups —though not always directly related to the political struggle—have risen, contributing to tensions in Balochistan. In Pakistan, the ethnic separatist insurgency is low-scale but ongoing mainly in southern Balochistan, as well as sectarian and religiously motivated militancy concentrated mainly in northern and central Balochistan. In Pakistan's Balochistan province, insurgencies by Baloch nationalists have been fought in 1948, 1958–59, 1962–63 and 1973–1977, with an ongoing low-level insurgency beginning in 2003. This insurgency has begun to weaken. In an article titled "The End of Pakistan's Baloch Insurgency?", Baloch analyst Malik Siraj Akbar reported that Baloch militants had begun killing their own commanders. Furthermore, separatists in recent times have also accused their own groups of being involved in wide spread crime, robbery and rapes against Baloch women, with some claiming that what started as an idealistic political fight for their people's rights has turned into gangs extorting, kidnapping and even raping locals. However, Akbar called anger towards provincial Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch "growing and often uncontrollable". Baloch militants have taken some reconciliation offers from the government and offered to hand in their weapons. In April 2016, four militant commanders and 144 militants had surrendered under reconciliation. 600 rebels were killed and 1,025 surrendered after accepting reconciliation as of August 2016. In April 2017, another 500 Baloch rebels surrendered to the state, including members of BRA , UBA , and LeB . Baloch separatists argue they are economically marginalised and poor compared to the rest of Pakistan. China has invested $46 billion in the region . The Balochistan Liberation Army , designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States , is the most widely known Baloch separatist group. Since 2000 it has conducted numerous deadly attacks on Pakistani military troops, police, journalists, civilians and education institutions. Other separatist groups include Lashkar-e-Balochistan and the Balochistan Liberation United Front (BLUF). By 2005, the insurgency by Baloch separatists had once again resurged in Iran. The fight over the Iranian Baloch region bordering Pakistan has "not gained" as much ground as the conflict in Pakistan. Though since the mass unrest in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, protests and unrest in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan province have surged, resulting in a bloody crackdown by the Iranian regime on its Baloch population. Human rights activists have accused nationalist militants, Government of Pakistan and Iran of human rights abuses in its suppression of the insurgency. The News International reported in 2012 that a Gallup survey conducted for DFID revealed that the most of the Balochistan province does not support independence from Pakistan, with only 37% of ethnic Baloch and 12% of Pashtuns in Balochistan favoring independence. However, 67% of Balochistan's population favored greater provincial autonomy, including 79% of ethnic Baloch and 53% of Pashtuns in the province. "Since January 2008, military has conducted no operation in Balochistan," said Gen Abbas, dispelling a perception that the army was still in the field there. Dawn News . 7 September 2013. 'Not a single soldier of Pakistan Army is involved in any operation in Balochistan,' Gen Kayani said. The largest province of the country by area, Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by ethnic Baloch separatists. Afghan officials confirmed that General Raziq had housed Baluch separatist leaders in Kandahar for years. "BLA top commander Chota Mir killed by unidentified persons in Afghanistan" . 24 News HD . 28 May 2021. Kalati claimed that he had been fighting for independence of Balochistan since 1970 and spent 45 years on mountains. 'Now I have realised that this fight has been launched by tribal chiefs to protect their own interests,' he said, adding that internal fighting among leaders of banned organisations had helped him to come to that conclusion. The Swiss chargesheet, according to papers seen by this reporter, said Marri was 'a Pakistani national of Great Britain' associated with militant groups. It claimed that the UBA 'collaborated with the terrorist movement Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) under Brahmadagh Bugti'. Al Jazeera. 20 June 2010. 556 (2015) [1] [2] [3] , 800 (2016) [4] , 1,222 (2017) [5] [6] [7] [8] , 465 (2018) [9] [10] , 50 (2019) [11] Ray Fulcher (30 November 2006). Since the beginning of this year, violent attacks by secular ethnic Baluch separatists in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan have dramatically risen. "Baloch insurgency and continued tale of apathy and violence" . 8 February 2022. The province of Balochistan is once again in the vortex of turmoil and violence. The quality or state of being insurgent; specifically: a condition of revolt against a recognized government that does not reach the proportions of an organized revolutionary government and is not recognized as belligerency (subscription required) "insurgency, n" . The quality or state of being insurgent; the tendency to rise in revolt; insurgence n. The action of rising against authority; a rising, revolt." (subscription required) "Insurgency" . Insurgency, term historically restricted to rebellious acts that did not reach the proportions of an organized revolution. It has subsequently been applied to any such armed uprising, typically guerrilla in character, against the recognized government of a state or country. The Wall Street Journal . " "We are the Walking Dead" – Killings of Shia Hazara in Balochistan, Pakistan" . The East Moves West: India, China, and Asia's Growing Presence in the Middle East (1st ed.). "Terrorist Designations of Balochistan Liberation Army and Husain Ali Hazzima and Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of Jundallah" . The civil war has left thousands dead – including non-Baloch settlers and has gone on for the past nine years, but it hardly made the news in Pakistan, let alone abroad. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 October 2014. separatist organizations such as the Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army have claimed responsibility for some of the 27 journalists killed in targeted assassinations since 2007 G. World Report 2016: Pakistan . 27 January 2016. : Unknown parameter |agency= ignored ( help ) "37pc Baloch favour independence: UK survey" .

Iran : Unknown Unknown numbers of Toufan attack helicopters , Toofan MRAPs , F-14 Tomcats , Shahed 285 attack helicopters , Panha 2091 attack helicopters , MiG-29s , Shahed 216 attack helicopters , and Technicals BLA : 600 (2020) 3,000 (2025) Jaish al-Adl : 500-600 Jundallah : 500-2,000 (until 2011) Casualties and losses Pakistan 1973–1977: 3,300 killed 2000–2019: 2,052 killed Iran 2000–2010: 164 killed (security forces and civilians) 1973–1977 : 5,300 killed 2000–2019 : 1,929 killed Surrendered : 3,093 (2015–2019) SATP – surrendered : 5,869 ( 2004–2019 ) c. 6,000+ civilians (1973–1977), 4,608 civilians (2000–2019) and 497 non-specified killed in Pakistan c. 140,000 displaced (2004–2005) 3 Chinese civilians killed 4 kidnapped 5 oil tankers damaged The insurgency in Balochistan ( Balochi : بلۏچستانءِ آشۏب ) is an ongoing insurgency by Baloch separatist insurgents and various Islamist militant groups against the governments of Iran in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan and Pakistan in the province of Balochistan . Rich in natural resources, Balochistan is the largest, least populated and least developed province in Pakistan. Armed groups demand greater control of the province's natural resources and political autonomy. Baloch separatists have attacked civilians from other ethnicities throughout the province. In the 2010s, attacks against the Shia community by sectarian groups —though not always directly related to the political struggle—rose, contributing to tensions in Balochistan. In Pakistan, the ethnic separatist insurgency is low-scale but ongoing mainly in southern Balochistan, as well as sectarian and religiously motivated militancy concentrated mainly in northern and central Balochistan. In Pakistan's Balochistan province, insurgencies by Baloch nationalists have been fought in 1948–50, 1958–60, 1962–63 and 1973–1977, with an ongoing low-level insurgency beginning in 2003. In recent times, separatists have also accused their own groups of being involved in widespread crime—including robbery and rape against Baloch women—with some claiming that what started as an idealistic political fight for their people's rights has turned into gangs extorting, kidnapping and even raping locals. Baloch militants have taken some reconciliation offers from the government and offered to hand in their weapons. Baloch separatists argue they are economically marginalised and poor compared to the rest of Pakistan. The Balochistan Liberation Army , designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States , is the most widely known Baloch separatist group. Since 2000 it has conducted numerous deadly attacks on Pakistani military troops, police, journalists, civilians and education institutions. Other separatist groups include Lashkar-e-Balochistan and the Balochistan Liberation United Front (BLUF). Human rights activists have accused nationalist militants, government of Iran and Pakistan of human rights abuses in its suppression of the insurgency. The largest province of the country by area, Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by ethnic Baloch separatists. The numerical strength of the BLA is not clear, with estimates claiming that in the early 2000s after the group formed, there were approximately 6,000 fighters in the BLA. More recent estimates have suggested the total number of fighters is closer to 600. The News . : CS1 maint: ref duplicates default ( link ) Shah 2017 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFShah2017 ( help ) : "The Swiss chargesheet, according to papers seen by this reporter, said Marri was 'a Pakistani national of Great Britain' associated with militant groups. It claimed that the UBA 'collaborated with the terrorist movement Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) under Brahmadagh Bugti'." Shah, Taimoor; Mashal, Mujib; Ur-Rehman, Zia (27 December 2018). Afghan officials confirmed that General Raziq had housed Baluch separatist leaders in Kandahar for years. "BLA top commander Chota Mir killed by unidentified persons in Afghanistan" . 24 News HD . 28 May 2021. Kalati claimed that he had been fighting for independence of Balochistan since 1970 and spent 45 years on mountains. 'Now I have realised that this fight has been launched by tribal chiefs to protect their own interests,' he said, adding that internal fighting among leaders of banned organisations had helped him to come to that conclusion. Separatist leader in Pakistan appears before cameras and says he has surrendered with 70 followers . 20 December 2023. Key BNA commander Sarfraz Bangulzai surrenders along with 70 associates . 20 December 2023. "Since January 2008, military has conducted no operation in Balochistan," said Gen Abbas, dispelling a perception that the army was still in the field there. Dawn News . 7 September 2013. 'Not a single soldier of Pakistan Army is involved in any operation in Balochistan,' Gen Kayani said. BBC News اردو (in Urdu). 23 March 2021 . Al Jazeera. 20 June 2010. 556 (2015) [1] [2] [3] , 800 (2016) [4] , 1,222 (2017) [5] [6] [7] [8] , 465 (2018) [9] [10] , 50 (2019) [11] Ray Fulcher (30 November 2006). Since the beginning of this year, violent attacks by secular ethnic Baluch separatists in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan have dramatically risen. "Baloch insurgency and continued tale of apathy and violence" . 8 February 2022. The province of Balochistan is once again in the vortex of turmoil and violence. The quality or state of being insurgent; specifically: a condition of revolt against a recognized government that does not reach the proportions of an organized revolutionary government and is not recognized as belligerency (subscription required) "insurgency, n" . The quality or state of being insurgent; the tendency to rise in revolt; insurgence n. The action of rising against authority; a rising, revolt." (subscription required) "Insurgency" . Insurgency, term historically restricted to rebellious acts that did not reach the proportions of an organized revolution. It has subsequently been applied to any such armed uprising, typically guerrilla in character, against the recognized government of a state or country. The Wall Street Journal . " "We are the Walking Dead" – Killings of Shia Hazara in Balochistan, Pakistan" . The East Moves West: India, China, and Asia's Growing Presence in the Middle East (1st ed.). "Terrorist Designations of Balochistan Liberation Army and Husain Ali Hazzima and Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of Jundallah" . The civil war has left thousands dead – including non-Baloch settlers and has gone on for the past nine years, but it hardly made the news in Pakistan, let alone abroad.