Baloch insurgency

The Baloch struggle for independence from Pakistan now involve a growing cast of characters (and victims).

Recent escalations demonstrate both the insurgents’ growing operational capabilities and the Pakistani state’s persistent reliance on heavy-handed military responses that continue to alienate Baloch society.

Rights activists like the BYC say that demands for such statements are an attempt to sidestep the real issues: years of political marginalization, human rights abuses, and economic neglect in Balochistan.

Days after a major train hijacking, the BLA targeted buses carrying Pakistani security forces. Both attacks highlight the BLA's new strategy of combining suicide attacks with conventional guerrilla warfare.

Looking for a culprit, there is a real possibility that Pakistan may view counterterrorism cooperation with Iran with increasing suspicion.

By sending its top army official to Pakistan on the anniversary of a prominent separatist leader's death, China risks inadvertently fanning the flames of anti-China resentment in Balochistan.

For South Asia in particular – a region plagued with insurgency and cross-border tension for several decades – Hamas' devastating attack on Israel presents numerous lessons in warfare. 

There is a widespread belief in Balochistan that the authorities in Pakistan have deliberately allowed Islamic fundamentalism to flourish in the province in general – and in Mastung in particular.

Gulzar Imam, who was in charge of insurgent operations in Balochistan and financial operations abroad, is the first top Baloch militant to be nabbed alive.

Unlike previous phases of the insurgency, the current wave is lethal, resilient, and not dependent on a single charismatic leader.

Pakistan’s CPEC is a case study in Chinese investment further disenfranchising ethnic minority groups – in this case, the Baloch.

For over three weeks, Baloch students in Quetta have been demonstrating against the suspected abduction of two of their own.