Declining Baloch Insurgency-Consolidating Reconciliation

By Sajjad Shaukat

In a key development for restoration of peace in the Balochistan province, Commander of Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) Sarfaraz Bangulzai, alias Murid Baloch, along with his 70 companions on December 20, last year surrendered to the state and joined the national mainstream.

Balochistan’s top separatist leader Gulzar Imam alias Shambay who was also the founder of the banned outfit BNA was arrested on April 7, 2023.

Addressing the media along with Home Minister Ziaullah Langove on May 13, 2023, Gulzar Imam apologised for terrorism related attacks and urged all insurgents operating in the Balochistan to surrender and adopt a peaceful life, saying that rights could only be achieved through political and constitutional struggle, which offer solutions to issues related to Balochistan.

However, Gulzar Imam’s arrest was a big setback to the terrorist groups and their handlers in Balochistan. It was also a big success for Pakistani intelligence agencies—Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs)—sequel to an excellent intelligence operation by the country’s primary intelligence agency ISI which captured this key terrorist who was living under the wings of hostile foreign intelligence agencies.

Balochistan terrorism landscape is diverse—a number of Baloch anti-state anarchist groups, sponsored by Hostile Intelligence Agencies (HIAs) which are involved in militants’ terrorist activities. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has inconsequential presence in Northern Balochistan whereas Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) have been carrying out terror attacks and extortion in Quetta-capital of the province, and surrounding areas, while Gulzar Imam had remained very active in Southern Balochistan and executed terrorist acts against the LEAs. After formation of BNA, Kech and Noshki were impacted. Scattered pockets and sleeper cells of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) have been also effective in Quetta and North East Balochistan. BNA was one of the major contributing organisation in Baloch Raj Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) which was formed on November 10, 2018. Gulzar Imam-head of BNA was one of the major operation commanders for terrorist activities in Balochistan. Gulzar remained deputy to Brahamdagh Bugti in BRA till 2018. Later, after creation of BRAS, he formed a new militant outfit BNA.

In fact, various separatist terror groups have cast a shadow on the genuine aspirations of the Baloch people.

Shambay’s capture has created a leadership vacuum within the BNA which was formed after the merger of BRA and the United Baloch Army (UBA). This resulted into internal conflicts over resources and finances, severely hampering the insurgency’s capacity to function as a cohesive unit. Hence, BNA now appears on the verge of collapse.

This crack in the separatist outfits offers golden opportunity for reconciliation, as offered by Pakistan. The kind treatment extended to surrendered militants, like Sarfaraz Bangulzai and his men, presents an enticing scheme for others. Bangulzai’s defection, along with his fighters, has also created a domino effect, leading to a mass exodus from the BNA.

This crucial situation presents an exceptional opportunity to explore possibilities of peace dialogues.

Therefore, the government of Pakistan emphasises reconciliation with the aim to foster a sense of shared identity—belonging among the varied groups of Balochistan.

The Baloch are an inclusive nation, making efforts for a peaceful and prosperous future for all people. Any endeavor to create division among them in the name of greater Balochistan is nothing but a designed strategy to break Pakistan. And India has been targeting Balochistan to divert the world’s attention from the atrocities’, being committed by the Indian security forces in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.

This narrative stresses that Balochistan belongs to its people and the state will not allow anarchists working at the behest of foreign agencies to hijack Baloch nationalism.

While, those at the helm are completely aware of the grievances of the Baloch people who are being harmed and inflicted by misguided dissidents. Talking cognizance of these concerns, the government offers Baloch youth opportunities for success through improved access to quality education and employment opportunities. It also pledged a share in the prosperity and promised by the exploration of mineral resources in the province.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement actions and the fencing of the international border have improved security in Balochistan. Coupled with the offer of reconciliation presents a compelling reason for separatists to lay down arms and rejoin mainstream.

The responsibility of the patriotic Baloch is to reject these anarchists’ conspiracy through collective action and cooperation with the security forces.

The country’s efforts to develop Balochistan should be explained especially China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, including the development of Gwadar Port. These initiatives aim to generate revenue for the Baloshistan and to create jobs for their people.

In the meantime, the latest terrorist attacks on these projects prove the insurgents’ intention to weaken the development in the province. Question arises as to why the progress of the province targeted by the so-called nationalists who claim that they are fighting for the rights of the Baloch?

Nevertheless, the ASAs are hampering Balochistan’s progress by attacking vital infrastructure projects like dams, communication facilities and transportation networks. These moves are portrayed as inflicting real damage on the Baloch people themselves, hindering economic development and essential services.

Furthermore, the human rights activists have continued their propaganda campaign in their call against the illegal abductions, while setting aside the ASAs recruitment of students into militants’ outfits, which is a clear violation of the right to education and a tactic to manipulate young people.

As regards the issue of missing persons, the state contends that exaggerated figures are being quoted, and that many missing persons are actually hiding in the insurgents’ camps.

In this respect, recent events like the involvement of Abdul Wadood Satakzai and Karim Jan Baloch in terrorist-assaults are being used as instance of Baloch youth being exploited. The families of these men were reportedly engaged by a human rights activist in a long march seen as a propaganda campaign against Pakistan. Such actions also hinder genuine efforts towards peace and reconciliation.

Besides, Baloch people must think that the so-called militant or sub-national leaders are living abroad, enjoying luxurious lifestyle, whereas the ordinary Baloch are facing hardships in mountains and fighting a futile battle against the state.

On the whole, this critical state of affairs necessitates continuation of genuine endeavours to address the root causes of the separatist elements, ensuring fair treatment of all Balochi people and to adopt a real sense of justice.

Now, BNA and other separatist groups must reconcile and surrender for ultimate integration into the society, which can lead to development of Balochistan as well as Pakistan

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

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