Bomb kills six near army vehicle refilling in Bannu — Maj-Gen Athar Abbasi (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 22, 2017#Enduring stability is through a balance of actions on ground and pol level.
Balochistan is Pakistan's largest and least developed province, subject to a bloody escalation in the military operations targeting separatist groups in recent years. Home to abundant natural resources, but historically neglected by the state, Balochistan has seen multiple insurgencies mediated over successive decades. Security & stability in the region are deteriorating as symbolized by this latest surge in military operations.
Conflict History in Balochistan
FPSC announces CSS result; top 3 positions all bagged by womenBalochistan, which is the largest and least populous province of Pakistan has witnessed several separatist movements since its creation in 1947. The Baloch nationalist insurgency stems from long-standing grievances over perceived economic exploitation, political isolation, and human rights abuses. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Republican Army (BRA), are both outlawed groups who have previously launched attacks against security forces, government installations, and development projects, including those associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The dispute has been a relentless headache for Pakistani governments. The beauty of this transformation is that even after multiple political reconciliation attempts and development initiatives, the insurgency failed to peter out because it was not strictly a domestic initiative. This makes FATA a key region for the security dovecotes of Pakistan owing to its strategic location, sharing borders with Afghanistan and Iran.
Recent Escalation in Violence
The latest incidents in Balochistan represented the largest surge of violence so far. In the past months, insurgents on multiple instances carried out coordinated attacks against military convoys, police stations, and vital infrastructures. Pakistan Army responded very forcefully in retaliation which led to the killing of both security personnel and civilians.
Under the umbrella of the Pak Army and intelligence agencies, targeted raids and airstrikes are being conducted in high-profile operations against insurgent hideouts scattered throughout the rugged terrains of Balochistan. Military sources say the operations have been designed to weaken insurgent groups in this area, and that some top militants were slated dead or captured during raids.
The deployment has been dubbed "a firm hand" aimed at restoring peace to a transitional province. Talking to a press briefing here, the Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said that it is part of a broader strategy adopted by the Pakistan military to eradicate terrorism and insurgency from the Pak-Afghan border region. The military is more concentrated in the outer perimeter, not only to get rid of militants there but also neutralize their logistics and financial support so that they become weak," he said.
Humanitarian Impact and Civilian Concerns
The military's stepped-up activity has been lauded by some who argue it could potentially stabilize Balochistan, but done so at the cost of significant humanitarian concerns. Balochistan's remoteness and inaccessibility -- a third of the province is off-limits to journalists, aid workers, and independent observers -- frequently make it hard to differentiate between insurgents hiding among civilians. That could be a reason for concerns that attempts at precision targeting might end up hitting innocent people on occasion.
The killing of a civilian and the eviction of local populations by shelling on densely populated areas had sparked alarm from human rights organizations. NWFP has already been absorbing thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), uprooted by conflict in the country. The United Nations must respect international humanitarian law and civilian protection in the conflict for all parties, it added.
There have been reports in Gaza that the conflict has reached communities, with families having to leave home due to violence. The disruption of daily living has also meant suffering for Baloch families, many of whom depend on traditional agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods. There are also increasing fears for civilian healthcare prices and education facilities within military operational areas.
Political and strategic ramifications
This development in the ongoing military operation of Balochistan has various political and strategic ramifications. It is also of paramount importance to the Pakistani government and security forces, who increasingly see peace in Balochistan as a prerequisite for implementing major infrastructure projects. Balochistan, a resource-rich yet troubled province in Pakistan, is the base for billions of dollars worth of China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that is considered strategically crucial to give much-needed thrust to the Pakistani economy. However, insurgents have also exploited the corridor as they see it to be a hegemony on their territory and resources.
A piece of news that creates tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan is related to Baluch insurgents, whom the Pakistani government accuses of being supported by its neighboring state of which it has made frequent complaints. Pakistan has been raking up the issue of India's purported involvement in Balochistan at various international forums. However, India rejects the claims to have a charge on Pakistan for human rights in this province.
Apprehension of the international community has been raised regarding this issue, and no one can keep his eyes closed in the case of humanity nowadays. The United States and other Western nations have voiced concern about the possible intensification of attacks, which could also affect regional stability. Peace, conciliation, and constructive dialogue have been urged to pacify this conflict yet the dynamics present on the ground make it an improbable guess.
Conclusion
How the recent military operations in Balochistan show that Pakistan's struggles against insurgency continue. Although the army's actions could weaken militant groups in the short term, they will fail to solve centuries-old and deeply-rooted problems which are also being fuelled by our intelligence agencies behind closed doors. Years of political marginalization, economic neglect, and human rights abuses have only served to entrench feelings of alienation among the Baloch population.
Balochistan needs to be addressed through a holistic approach if we are aiming for durable peace, one that treats the root causes of conflict and provides sufficient security to the state. That would compensate beyond just military action but involve significant political dialogue and economic investment — plus respect for human rights. As the situation in Balochistan slowly changes, it is to be seen if the Pakistani government can strike that fine balance like never before and bring stability to its doorstep.
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