Gwadar, Kalat, Mastung, Bolan, Nushki, Kohlu, and Khuzdar—these are the districts in Pakistan's province Balochistan that have witnessed the highest number of militant attacks this year. Responsibility for these attacks has been claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), and an alliance of various militant groups known as the BRAS.
Following the train hijacking on March 11, Pakistan is facing a new wave of extremism, albeit with old challenges.
It is to be noted that on March 11, hundreds of passengers were taken hostage during this attack, after which the army launched an operation. After a day-long operation, 354 hostages were safely rescued, and 33 attackers were killed. According to the final figures, 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers were killed in this attack.
This can be gauged from a report of Islamabad based Center of Research and Security Studies indicating that the number of attacks in Balochistan in 2024 has increased by 90% compared to 2023.
Recently, within 48 hours of the train hijacking incident, 57 different terrorist incidents were reported in Balochistan and KPK, claimed by the Pakistani Taliban and a banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
On March 5, 2025, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) released its Global Terrorism Index for 2025, analyzing terrorism trends over the past 17 years. According to the report, Pakistan ranked as the second most affected country out of 163. In 2023, Pakistan experienced 517 terrorist attacks, but this number rose sharply to 1,099 in 2024, leading to 1,081 deaths.
In light of this wave of violence, the question arises: What strategy should the government and institutions adopt to curb the recent surge in terrorism? To explore this, I have divided this article into three main sections: the issues in Balochistan, the history of the BLA and Pakistan Army's operations against the organization, and the state's strategy.
Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan, making up about 44% of the country's total land area. It has a long coastline of 770 kilometers and shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan. Despite its large size, the province has a relatively small population. Balochistan is rich in natural resources, including minerals and natural gas, and its geography gives it significant strategic importance. It serves as a gateway to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia, providing access to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and South Asia.
The province is deeply tied to Baloch culture, traditions, and identity. However, it has also been a region of conflict for many years. Many Baloch people feel that while Balochistan is officially part of Pakistan, it is not treated equally. They believe the central government exploits the province's resources without adequately addressing the needs of its people. This has led to growing frustration and resistance among the local population.
Tensions between Balochistan and the central government have existed since Pakistan's early days. These tensions have grown over time, especially as large-scale projects like the development of Gwadar Port and new trade routes were launched. While these projects aim to connect Pakistan to Central Asia and boost trade, many Baloch people feel left out of the benefits and believe their concerns are ignored.
The situation is further complicated by economic and social inequalities. Many Baloch people feel marginalized and believe they face discrimination from the central government, which is often seen as dominated by the interests of Pakistan's more populous provinces. This has fueled a sense of insecurity and resentment, contributing to the ongoing challenges in the region.
Senior journalist Sahar Baloch, who has been reporting on Balochistan's issues for the past 20 years, shared with YeniŞafak Urdu that during her visit to Turbat in January for the general elections, she asked locals if they would vote. They responded that they would not.
Their biggest concern, she explained, is enforced disappearances. "Protests and movements have been held on this issue for a long time. While the highest number of reported cases of enforced disappearances in Pakistan are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in Balochistan, there is little to no information about missing persons. This has caused immense frustration among the people. When families try to file FIRs (First Information Reports) for these disappearances, their cases are often not registered".
She noted that such an environment breeds frustration and despair. "In these circumstances, separatist groups gain traction. While some may not support the violent narratives of these groups, many feel compelled to back them because they believe the government is ignoring their issues. These groups, at least, speak about their problems".
Many people, Sahar added, say that if the government does not address enforced disappearances, they will resist. And today, we are seeing that resistance.
During an interview with nationalist leader and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Akhtar Mengal, he told her that Balochistan is no longer under the government's control. The issue, he explained, is that the provincial governments are unable to do much. Real dialogue needs to happen between the government and the military, but no one is willing to engage in such talks.
Sahar also pointed out that media coverage of Balochistan's issues is heavily censored. If anyone tries to speak out, their content is often removed. This systemic censorship has left the people of the province disillusioned. Balochistan is often viewed only in terms of its minerals and resources, with little regard for the lives and struggles of its people.
The BLA was founded in 2000 by Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri's son, Balach Marri. Currently, the organization has two factions operating in Balochistan. One faction is led by Bashir Zeb, while the other is led by Hyrbyar Marri, who is based in London. The attack on the Jaffar Express was claimed by the Bashir Zeb faction, which is active across the province.
For over decades, BLA militants have been fighting for independent Balcoh state that would encompass Balochistan, a region covering Pakistan largest and least populated province, as well as territory in Iran and Afghanistan, also inhabited by the Baloch ethnic group. BLA militants accuse the deferral gov in Islamabad of unfairly exploiting regions natural resources, while neglecting local communities.
Over the years, there have been several attempts at dialogue between Baloch leaders, the BLA, and the federal government, with some successes, but most efforts have not been sustained.
Experts believe that the Pakistan Army has not adopted any new strategies to counter extremism, while on the other hand, the BLA has evolved its tactics over time.
According to the BBC Urdu, the BLA has established new branches within its organization, including the Majeed Brigade for suicide attacks, the Fatah Squad for target preparation, the Special Tactical Operations Squad for kidnappings and assassinations, and the Zaryab Wing for intelligence gathering.
Senior journalist Zia your Rehman, who has been reporting on Balochistan and militancy for several years, told Yenisafak Urdu that in this region, no insurgency can carry out major attacks without support from neighboring countries. While there is no concrete evidence of India or Afghanistan's involvement, it is unlikely that militancy in a province like Balochistan could thrive without some level of external support from neighboring nations.
It is worth noting that both the Afghan Taliban and India have denied Pakistan's allegations of their involvement in the train hijacking in Sibi district, Balochistan, and the subsequent hostage-taking of passengers. Pakistan has been accusing India of supporting Baloch insurgent groups, particularly through its intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
In 2016, Pakistan presented a dossier at the United Nations alleging that India was funding and training Baloch separatists to destabilize the region.
The arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national, in Balochistan in 2016 is often cited as evidence. Pakistan claims Jadhav was a RAW operative involved in supporting insurgent activities. India, however, denies these allegations, stating that Jadhav was a retired naval officer who was kidnapped from Iran.
On the other hand, Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of providing safe havens to Baloch insurgent groups, particularly during the pre-2021 Afghan government era.
The history of militancy in Balochistan began almost immediately after the province became part of Pakistan. Every government since then has prioritized military operations to eliminate extremism in the province.
Recently, during a press conference, the Chief Minister of Balochistan rejected the option of negotiations with BLA, stating that those spreading unrest in the province are not disgruntled Baloch but terrorists.
Balochistan has a long history of military operations. The first military operation took place in 1948 when the Khan of Kalat refused to join Pakistan, leading to a military action that resulted in Balochistan's inclusion in Pakistan.
The second military operation occurred in 1958 during Ayub Khan's martial law, when Baloch nationalists leader Nawab Nauroz Khan Zahri resisted the state.
The third operation lasted from 1962 to 1969 during Ayub Khan's rule, marked by a resistance movement led by Sher Muhammad Marri and other Baloch leaders.
The fourth military operation took place from 1973 to 1977 during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government, when the elected government of Balochistan was dismissed.
The fifth military operation occurred from 2004 to 2006 during Pervez Musharraf's tenure, following tensions between Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and the government, which culminated in Bugti's death in a military strike in 2006, leading to a full-scale insurgency in the province.
The sixth major operation was launched in 2014 with Operation Zarb-e-Azb, primarily targeting terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, but its effects were also felt in Balochistan.
The seventh operation, Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, began in 2017 with the aim of eliminating terrorist networks across the country. In the same year, Operation Khyber-IV was also launched.
Finally, in June 2024, the government announced Operation Azm-e-Istekam, aimed at conducting coordinated actions against remaining terrorists in the Country.
Despite these operations, militancy and unrest in the province have not been completely eradicated.
Security analyst Imtiaz Gul states that the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attempted to prove its dominance in the province by hijacking the train, demonstrating that they can challenge the state's authority at any time.
He explains that security policies in Balochistan are directly linked to the grievances of the Baloch people. One of the major grievances is the issue of enforced disappearances, where individuals are allegedly taken by the state on suspicions of supporting separatist movements. Additionally, other complaints, such as economic marginalization and lack of development, are exploited by separatist groups to justify their violent narratives and actions. These groups use these grievances to strengthen their stance and legitimize their resistance against the state.
Gul expressed skepticism about whether the Pakistan Army has adopted any new strategies to address the ongoing challenges in Balochistan. He pointed out that if a new strategy were in place, adequate security measures would have been implemented to protect the train in Sibi, which was hijacked despite carrying hundreds of military personnel on leave. The train was moving at a slow speed in a vulnerable area, making it an easy target for attackers.
He emphasized that most conflicts and wars are ultimately resolved through negotiations. He stressed the need for the military and political institutions to address the grievances and issues raised by Baloch factions, leaders, and society with complete sincerity. Providing employment opportunities to the Baloch people and resolving their long-standing issues would reduce the chances of external elements exploiting the situation. If these problems are addressed, stateholders can find a way to curb the new wave of terrorism effectively.
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