Pakistan, which is plotting to spread terror in Kashmir, is unable to stop the conflict in one of its own big provinces. Militants attack and kill people every day in Pakistan’s largest province Balochistan. On August 26, in just 24 hours, Baloch militants killed at least 70 people at different places. They killed the passengers after identifying them. The Baloch Liberation Army has taken responsibility for these attacks. Buses were stopped in Musakhel and at least 23 Punjabis were killed.
This is not a new thing in Balochistan. In April this year too, militants killed Punjabi travellers near the city of Noshki. Apart from this, six Punjabi labourers were killed in Kech.
Who are the Baloch and why do they attack?
The area of Balochistan is 40 percent of the total area of Pakistan. In that respect, the population here is not much. The Balochs are the majority here. The Balochs say that their civilization is 5 thousand years old and is different from the common Muslims of Pakistan. In such a situation, they have been demanding a separate nation for a long time. Balochistan is adjacent to Afghanistan. They say that Pakistan has always discriminated against the people here. The government of Pakistan exploits the natural resources here and the people here get nothing in return.
Balochs believe that Punjabis are the biggest reason behind their plight. People from Punjab in Pakistan have a higher representation in the government. A large number of Punjabis also come to Balochistan to work. In such a situation, Balochs believe that Punjabis are violating their rights. Balochistan is rich in mineral wealth. More than 40 percent of the gas is produced here. Apart from this, copper and gold are also found in abundance. 26 August is a special day for Balochs because 18 years ago on this day, their leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was murdered by the Pakistani government. At that time, Pervez Musharraf was the President.
The language and culture of the Balochs are also different
The language and culture of the Balochs is different from the rest of Pakistan. These people speak Balochi. Whereas in Pakistan, Urdu or Punjabi is spoken. The Balochs are also afraid about their culture. They feel that Pakistan wants to destroy their language and culture. In such a situation, they want that people from other provinces of Pakistan should not come to Balochistan. Apart from this, when vehicles carrying mineral wealth leave from here, the Baloch militants loot them.
Pakistan oppresses the Baloch
Pakistan has always oppressed the Balochs. People who support Balochistan become victims of extra-judicial killings. According to an NGO, about 20,000 Balochs went missing between 2001 and 2017.
Balochs hate the Chinese
People of the Baloch Army often target Chinese citizens as well. In fact, Pakistan has leased the mines of Baloch to China. A large part of the CPEC also passes through Balochistan. The Baloch say that China provides weapons to Pakistan to attack them. Gwadar Port is also included in CPEC, which has been the cause of violence.
What does it mean for India
According to Ajay Bisaria, former High Commissioner of India in Pakistan, Islamabad constantly accuses India of helping the Balochs. It says that Iran is a safe haven for the Balochs. However, India does not take this matter seriously. India has also rejected these allegations many times. Now the Baloch militants are also getting the support of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The UK and the US have declared these organizations as terrorist organizations. At the same time, this conflict going on in Pakistan is a big example for it. On one hand, it is engaged in a conspiracy to break India, while on the other hand, 40 percent of its part is ready to separate.
