While the firepower and consequently all the media attention has been focused on Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the North West Frontier Province, violence in Baluchistan province to the south has worsened.
The year gone by was the bloodiest in a decade for Baluchistan, the country’s largest but most impoverished province where a low key insurgency has raged for decades, the Daily Times said. Official data showed a steadily rising level of violence, up from 303 people killed in 2005 to 433 in 2008, the first time killings crossed the 400-mark.
There were 120 bomb blasts, 208 rocket attacks, 141 landmine blasts and 32 hand grenade attacks in the past year, and it could have been worse if the three main Baluch nationalist insurgent groups operating in the area - the BLA, the Baloch Republic Army and Baloch Liberation Front - had not declared ceasefire, the newspaper said. One of them, the BRA, has announced the end of the ceasefire from the New Year accusing the government of of kiling tribesmen.The other two groups may well follow suit, the Daily Times said, warning of a difficult year ahead in the vast sparsely populated desert region that straddles Afghanistan and Iran.
According to this piece by The Jameston Foundation, the prime motivators of the insurgency remain the Baluch nationalists who live in the remote mountains of the province and believe they have been deprived of their rights and revenues from the considerable natural resources of their province. But the Islamists led by the Taliban are also active throughout the rugged and harsh terrain, particularly in state capital Quetta and the Pashtun belt of the province bordering Afghanistan.
Mullah Mohammad Omar has long been rumoured to be based in Quetta from where the one-eyed leader and his council dubbed the “Quetta shura” have directed the Taliban’s broad military and political strategies and arranged arms and other supplies for their fighters in southern Afghanistan, according to this report by McClatchy Newspapers, citing U.S. officials. The “:Quetta shura” presides over military, intelligence, political, and religious committees, and also oversees a fund-raising operation in the Pakistani port city of Karachi that raises money across the Muslim world, the report quoted a Pentagon adviser on the region as saying. Baluchistan also is a major corridor through which Afghan opium, which is refined into heroin, is smuggled to the outside world, providing the Taliban with $60-$80 million a year.
But the U.S. drone campaign has focused almost entirely on the al Qaeda belt in the tribal agencies further up the Pakistani northwest and the North West Frontier Province leaving out the Taliban leadership in Baluchistan. Is it because of military limitations in extending the theatre of conflict or is there a longer term logic to spare the Afghan Taliban while going after al Qaeda first?
There is another dimension to the troubles in Baluchistan. Pakistan suspects India of trying to create trouble in the region by instigating the insurgents. New Delhi denies this, but in the light of the Mumbai attacks some people are advocating India launch its version of bleeding Pakistan by a thousand cuts by waging a covert war.
Is Baluchistan the next battleground then?
(Reuters photo: Pakistani soldier stands guard on the Khyber Pass)
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Mr.Javed and Amir ali,
kashmir will never go to pakistan,what I mean,long before that there will be no pakistan..
- Posted by abdul from dhakaMr. N javed
- Posted by PrithirajTo your rambling here is my answer ” Ramble On” and I will answer your every point trust me when I say, I will, that means, I can, the point is that do you have the courage to face the truth? I dont think so.
Baluchstan is a province of Pakistan and is recognized the world over. So keep out of Pakistan’s internal affairs.
The Indian agent Akbar Bugti was eliminated in 2006 and since then the mini-insurgency in the province has died out.
- Posted by Bangash KhanTO MR. PRITHVIRAJ (sorry about the tardy response - got busy)
Interesting comments, once again.
You know at first, I was loathe to dignify the tone of your aberrant and wayward comments with a response till I decided that some enlightenment, perhaps, was in order. No I am not about to descend down to uncivil standards of return rude, name calling, etc. - not my style, but, if you’re open minded, just some basic front and center facts - nothing too very complicated.
First of, and as an aside, I did find your utility of this lovely language especially in concert with the choice of words used to be almost amusing, sort of comical. And I leave it at that; for this is neither about jest nor a lesson in English. This is about 2 essential topics you’ve chosen to broach - Geography and History.
And before I go any further, I must compliment you on being as observant as you are, for you have correctly pointed out that my message has been seen on other postings - with the same dreaded ‘K’ word. One too many times, you indicate. Right again.
However, the fact of the matter is that after 60+ years of suppression and brutality by 500,000 plus Indian troops, it has not been said often enough. It’s a message that NEEDS to be heard and succinctly so. But, at the end of the day, the question begs asking:
WHY does India keep run away from this subject (3 wars and… counting?) Indeed it is very much a problem. It’s the ROOT of our mutual anguish and dissent. I’ll tell you WHY India keeps stonewalling and evading the subject.
Pain and simple she is scared of the OUTCOME.
1- The outcome if the world’s biggest democracy allows the Kashmiris their democratic right of freedom of choice.
2- And equally repugnant the thought of neutral middle parties ruling once the Kashmiris’ anguish is illuminated to them. India will not let others mediate, NOR is she serious about “resolving it directly with Pakistan” - save some repeat lame duck CBM’s thus loosing a rare and HISTORIC opportunity under our courageous Musharraf who put out one overture after another. How unfortunate.
Does Pakistan want Kashmir? NOOOOOOOOO…… I hope I said that loud enough. If they say they want to join India or just be independent, bravo; all power to them. We’re good with that, JUST AS LONG AS they are given a pressure free forum to choose from. I know you folks did not like the results of the past UN Plebisite either.
I could also not help noting that US President Obama is now on India’s “stay Away” list, post his invoking and correctly recognizing the regional ‘K’ conundrum.
But you see, he’s not the only one.
Here are some other ‘little known’ world leaders who feel likewise:
1- French President Nicolas SARKOZY
2- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
3- US Vice President Joseph Biden
4- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband (India’s latest “don’t return here” fella. I won’t quote him)
5- And a host of other world leaders.
SO, bottom line, you can run from the problem but you cannot hide. And as long as we ARE going to solve it sooner or later, why not today?
Then you mention Afghanistan. What you may not know is that OVER 2 million Afghans are still in Pakistan. We took them in for they are our kith and kin; you may not quite follow that bit, and that’s okay.
But what I was quite amused by was how some of you (not just you) try to trigger incitement within our family. In fact you may just wish to study the meaning of the Urdu/Arabic word FITNA for meaning. And come to think of it, a few years ago, I met a Sikh gentleman (Sikhs have so much in common with us) Seemingly ex-military he complained the burden they are left to carry alone once the real heat turns on during a battle, and the fact that “their real talents lie elsewhere” and I’ll leave it at that. Having said that, it is also my hope and prayer that there be no more wars between us. Pakistan is resolute in it’s desire for peace.
Also lets not get too excited about this temporary estrangement between our family. Islam gives us the generous and built in propensity to unite at a moments notice and be at your throat, if we must. Just because India has erected a few edifices in and around Kabul, does NOT mean that you’re home free. Some 80% of the populace will not think twice before they start re-targeting some idols/statutes they may deem repugnant (that was unfortunate, in fact such acts, Mumbai, 9/11 enjoys neither Muslim nor Pakistani support, and that said unequivocably)
And speaking of Afghanistan, let us not forget where Mahmud Ghaznavi hailed from. As well, you may remember the name Ghauri…. do you Mr. Prithviraj?
So once again, this whole thing can unravel on India in a hurry. Let’s not rest on our temporary laurels just quite yet. All the billions you’re busy pouring around Pakistan can end up in a ditch in a hurry. Keep in mind, Mr. Karzai’s government extends only to the Kabul jurisdiction and outskirts. You may just wish to find out WHO really is running Afghanistan. Once again, the solution is MUCH simpler than India’s made it to be, and much much cheaper! You’re shelling out almost 2 BILLION dollars a year in kashmir annually.
Again, what Mahmud Ghaznavi did to Somnath was a travesty. Dare someone lift a finger at our temples, gurdwara’s or churces, we’ll be at their throat faster than they can say ‘mommy’. Pakistan LOVES it’s diversified family right from the Christians to the Jains.
Having said that, let me hasten to add again that Pakistan and Muslims abhor violence. 9/11 was a anathema of the highest order, an unimaginable event, which is FAR from a prescription to Paradise. Mumbai was equally unfortunate. Fortunately 99.9% of Muslims are moderate, peace loving and law abiding. You’re not going to tell me that other cultures are free of their own kooks are you?? Heard of The Agrun Brigade, Shiv Sehna, Timmothy Mcvey, Adolph Hitler…?? The list is far too long… I think you get the picture. None of them were Muslims.
Then traversing South, you mention Baluchistan. Well, the last I heard, all’s quiet on the Eastern Pakistani domain, and neither do we have 1/2 of our army embroiled in the imbroglio there. RAW, I hate to say it, as busy as they’ve been there for some time now, have not done too good a job at creating a ‘Fitna’ there. Rather than worry about the rock solid union of Pakistan, India may just want to corral and stay cognizant of her own age old dissent in ASSAM, PUNJAB, TAMIL… and a host of smaller insurgencies, literally all over your map. Those are REAL issues and quite different than ours.
So once again, bottom line, India can dance all around the real issue and all over the landscape - OR better yet, how’s this for an idea: There is a straight road to the Kashmiri issue. Let’s meet up there and resolve it once and for all. I can assure you that the peace heard around the world will be almost deafening.
So once again, I hate to say it, but it is
INDEED THE KASHMIR PROBLEM……SILLY
PAKISTAN PAINDABAD!
- Posted by N. JavedMr. Prithiviraj
Interesting comments below…indeed.
Permit me the luxury of a few days, I will be responding.
- Posted by N. JavedVivek:
Yes, I believe Pakistan did help the Afghan people in the late 1970’s and 1980’s. So what is the point of dwelling on this question? One either agrees that the Afghan people were helped or not helped.
The question here in this column is Baluchistan of the 2000’s. We have veered from the subject (myself included) so we should give the journalist of this article, Mr Miglani, some respect and either comment or not comment on the subject of his writing.
- Posted by AlethiaProblem with Pakistan is that only its extremist voice is heard worldwide. The moderates, if they exist, are nowhere to be heard. To an outsider, this is an indication that most Pakistani’s harbor extremists views with religion being their only guiding philosophy.
I read the Pakistani Dawn newspaper a couple of times and realized that Pakistan is India obsessed. They world revolves around what India does, what arms India is buying, how much has the Indian economy performed in 2008, which is the latest Indian movie etc. Have a look at Indian newspapers and they are more global in view with Pakistan having a mention in one section: SAARC or South Asia.
Baluchistan is a problem for Pakistan? Well, are you going to give Baluchistan the same rights as what India has given to Kashmir? But wait a minute… are the Baluchis muslims? Why are they fighting the Punjabi (Pakistan) dominated army? What happened to Jinnah’s 2 nation theory?
I think India should stay away from Baluchistan. Let the extremist brothers fight each other for supremacy. Maximum we should do is circulate the latest Bollywood movies in Pakistan… to let them know, you dont have to suicide bomb to heaven’s pretty girls. They are in India!
- Posted by JerryTo Prithviraj:
The root cause of the problem between India and Pakistan is Kashmir, as far as Pakistanis and Kashmiris are concerned.
Regarding Baluchistan, Indians should not get too excited. The mini-insurgency there peaked in 2006, and died out after the deaths of Akbar Bugti and Balach Marri, two india-supported feudals. I expect the Indian govt to keep trying however.
- Posted by Aamir AliA person busy nursing his wounds will have no time to retaliate.
- Posted by cricketAlethia,
Should Afghan be grateful to pakistan for talibanizing his country and turning his country into a *#*#* hole ? like afghans were being invaded by soviet and suddenly pakistan thought they need to save afghans. soviets invaded in late 70s and when did pak help ? did they really help or just served as feeding channel for US ? did anyone really help afghanistan or just fulfilled their wishes ? I know what your wishful thinking on this would be.
- Posted by vivekHonestly, I haven’t heard a pakistani so far who says he is ashamed his country spawns terrorism. I would be if my country was harming other nations like a coward.
- Posted by RichardMr. N JAved
- Posted by PrithvirajI have read your earlier post, in a different blog, and this one is a plain repetition, word by word of your earlier post . I guess either you are plain stupid or you have nothing better to say, so you are harping on the same old tune.
Kashmir is an issue because Pakistan’s GREED and pervert intentions made it one.
You say Afgans came to your door steps with bowls in their hands!!! I laugh at your false arrogance because for one I know Afgans have high sense of self respect and two your agencies were instrumental in creation of Afgan problem. Your agencies were involved in ravaging their country, rendering them homeless, for the deaths of their men and children and rape of their women. Your agencies were responsible for the rule of fundamentalist forces in Afganistan and your government was the first one to recognize it, which all other ‘civilized’ nations refused to recognize. I am amazed how can you sport that holier than thou attitude. I am amazed that you have the audacity of posting such a comment here when your NSA has admitted of Pakistans involvement in mumbai attacks, and has also been sacked for the same. I am amazed that you have the face to call Afgans ‘beggars’ with bowl in their hands when you are yourself a bankrupt economy living on grants from IMF and USA. You are con man Mr. Javed and I believe you dont have a conscience as well. The root of the problem is not Kashmir, the root of the problem is something else, its the business model that pakistan has built around terrorism. This is the way you have been arm twisting USA for granting you funds to run your economy. But my question is Haram ki kitne din kahoge ??
Jai Hind
I am not going to sit here and call our Afghan friends ‘NAMAK HARAM’ when fully HALF their destitute and bewildered nation once arrived at our doorstep bowl in one hand, hat in the other, to the ONLY place who would take them unselfishly, irrespective of their already existing own meagre resources.
No it was not India. But of course with a full stomach things are know to change. Man, have they ever! Imagine such gratefulness which then starts to aid and abet one’s adversaries, who I HOPE and trust have a better sense and balance of things.
So let me speak to our Indian friends. You know, folks, we are DEFINITELY on the right track here. Let’s continue to put the cart before the horse. Let’s continue to tap dance around the real issue. I have a feeling you know what it is.
Or how is this for an idea? How about we go to the root of our mutual and unfortunate dissent (3 wars!) I think you’re staring to see the picture.
In fact at the risk of sounding like a broken record, and please pardon my borrowing a line from the 1st Clinton run, but it is indeed:
THE KASHMIR PROBLEM STUPID!
The sooner India, the world’s biggest democracy, shakes off it’s positive allergy to SERIOUSLY, fully and finally discussing this ‘explosive’ issue (remember the democratically held UN Kashmiri plebisite?) the sooner the that WHOLE region and by extension, the West can feel safer.
Our courageous Musharraf and his multi one-way unanswered gestures (how unfortunate) may have left the scene, but PLEASE understand this:
Cosmetic and mere lip service CBM’s, stubbornly refusing to include near impatient and ready 3rd party mediators (US PRES. OBAMA being the latest) with the real hope that the issue will somehow be swept under the rug by the passage of time are a waste of both time and money. It’s not going to happen. What do you fear? Peace? Or should we continue to insist on pieces?
HEEEELLLLLOOOOO????
Indian friends, is your government listening?
- Posted by N. JavedI still don’t understand one thing, when whole world know that Terrorists / Terrorism are based in Pakistan, their people & Govt. still denies their involvement.
If someone ask the meaning of lies, I think they point to the language what Pakistan speaks.
If someone ask the meaning of a place where Terrorists lives, I think they point to Pakistan.
If someone ask the meaning of raw patriotism, I think they point to people of Pakistan.
If someone ask about the Intelligence Services performing Anti-Intelligence / counter-Intelligence, I think they point to Pakistan
If someone ask about the victims of self destruction, I think they point to Pakistan(victims of their own terrorists).
Finally, if someone whats to break a nation and win a border disputes, I think they will Hire a Pakistan.
- Posted by SamToday Pakistan stands at the crossroads. The problem is that the previous rulers of Pakistan didn’t have enough vision or direction & made suicidal policies. Today Pakistan is a trully failed state. They dont know what to say, what to do, where to go, and where to settle. None from their neighbourhood is responsible for this situation, but they themselves are. Their hatred for India was so much, that they immediately decided to use the US developed gureillas to become the “non-state actors” to operate in Kashmir, once the Soviets vacated Afghanistan. What Soviet Union did i Afghanistan was totally wrong, but the present situation is the making of Pakistan and its policies. Gen. Zia-ul-Haq started the policy of terrorism against India, after realising that they can’t win a real war with them. All Pakistani Govts. incl. Benazir, supported such activities and let them grow. India on the other hand, channelised their focus and energy on self development and economic progress and captured IT revolution. The result is in front of all of us, where the two countries are–born at the same time.
- Posted by NuppeIndia and the whole world should leave Pakistan with its own state and should stop thinking of harming them directly. Their state is pathetic, with economy seriously crippling, fundamentalists on the rise, brainy guys leaving the country for better prospects outside & presently having the most fragile Govt. Pakistan ’s condition is just like the 4th stage Cancer patient, who is destined to die..sooner or later, with his own disease.
Afghan,
“We, Afghans share our biggest border line with Pakistan and I wish we had a better neighbor.”
That reminds me of the Indian Prime Minister’s speech ,
- Posted by mitchell“Unfortunately, we cannot choose our neighbours……”