From guerrilla warfare tactics to modern weapons, Baloch separatist groups continue to challenge Pakistan’s military dominance. As tensions rise, their attacks on Chinese projects and government forces escalate. What’s next for Balochistan?
BY PC Bureau
The Baloch insurgency in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has been a long-standing conflict fueled by grievances over political autonomy, economic marginalization, and human rights abuses. Several armed groups, such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Republican Army (BRA), have been fighting against the Pakistani state for decades. Their primary targets include Pakistani security forces, infrastructure projects, and foreign investments, particularly those associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan has accused multiple external actors, including India and Afghanistan, of supporting these groups. However, the insurgency is primarily driven by the local population’s dissatisfaction with the Pakistani state.
ALSO READ:Â Balochistan Train Hostage Crisis Ends in Bloodshed
Who Funds and Supports the Baloch Rebels?
The funding and support for Baloch separatist groups are a topic of significant debate. While Pakistan claims that foreign powers fund and arm the rebels, there is also strong evidence that internal economic disparities and state repression fuel the insurgency.
In #Balochistan, even Ramadan brings no respite. Baloch women aren’t preparing iftar at home—they're protesting on streets,demanding the release of their loved ones. Pak lectures the world on Islamic values but hardly practices in Balochistan. @zzbaloch @pawalbaloch @sairabaluch_ pic.twitter.com/ZVdnTKiqch
— Omar Farooq (@omarfarooq33) March 6, 2025
1. Allegations Against India
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), of providing financial and logistical support to Baloch insurgents. In 2016, Pakistan arrested Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national, accusing him of espionage and aiding Baloch separatists. India denied the allegations, claiming Jadhav was a retired naval officer kidnapped from Iran.
ALSO READ: The Mystery of Manipur MP Akoijam’s Missing Questions
2. Afghanistan’s Alleged Role
Historically, Afghanistan has been accused of providing refuge to Baloch separatists. During the Cold War, Afghan governments allowed Baloch insurgents to operate from their territory. However, after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, relations between the Afghan regime and Baloch militants have become more uncertain.
3. Western Safe Havens
Several key Baloch separatist leaders, such as Harbiyar Marri (BLA) and Brahamdagh Bugti (BRA), reside in exile in the UK and Switzerland. Pakistan has accused these countries of turning a blind eye to their activities, but there is little concrete evidence that Western governments actively support the insurgency.
Strengths and Capabilities of Baloch Rebels
1. Guerrilla Warfare Expertise
Baloch insurgents operate in small, mobile groups and rely on classic hit-and-run tactics. They often ambush Pakistani military convoys, attack security checkpoints, and target railway lines to disrupt transportation.
2. Use of Suicide Bombings
While Baloch militants traditionally avoided suicide bombings, recent years have seen a shift. In 2022, the BLA carried out its first female suicide attack targeting Chinese nationals in Karachi. This tactic signals a shift towards more aggressive and high-profile operations.
3. Knowledge of Rugged Terrain
The harsh mountains and deserts of Balochistan give local militants a significant advantage over Pakistani security forces. The insurgents use caves and tunnels to hide weapons and plan attacks.
4. Expanding Network
While most Baloch insurgent groups operate in Pakistan, some have established networks in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, where ethnic Baloch populations also reside. This cross-border presence makes it harder for Pakistani forces to eliminate them.
Weapons and Equipment
Despite being a low-intensity conflict, the Baloch insurgents possess a variety of weapons, mostly acquired through smuggling, battlefield seizures, and illicit trade networks.
1. Small Arms and Assault Rifles
Baloch militants primarily use AK-47s, M16s, G3 battle rifles, and FN FALs. These weapons are easily available through smuggling routes from Afghanistan and Iran.
2. Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs)
RPG-7s are frequently used in ambushes against Pakistani military convoys and checkposts.
3. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
IEDs and roadside bombs are commonly used to attack Pakistani security forces and Chinese workers involved in CPEC projects.
4. Drones and Communication Equipment
Recent reports suggest that Baloch groups have started using drones for reconnaissance and communication devices for encrypted messaging.
Objectives of the Baloch Insurgency
1. Independence or Greater Autonomy
Most Baloch militant groups demand either full independence from Pakistan or significant autonomy within a federal structure. The BLA and BRA advocate for an independent Balochistan, while some groups seek more control over local resources.
2. Resource Control
Balochistan is rich in natural gas, coal, gold, and other minerals, but the local population receives little benefit. The insurgents argue that these resources are exploited by Punjab-dominated elites, leaving Balochs impoverished.
3. Opposition to Chinese Investments
Baloch militants have increasingly attacked Chinese workers and CPEC projects, viewing them as an extension of Pakistani exploitation. The Gwadar port and various road networks have been prime targets.
4. Human Rights and Anti-Military Protests
Balochistan has witnessed thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial killings carried out by Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies. The insurgents claim to be fighting against these human rights violations.
How Pakistan Responds to the Baloch Insurgency
1. Military Operations
Pakistan has carried out numerous military operations in Balochistan, including:
Operation Zarb-e-Azb (2014–2017)
Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (2017–present)
Despite these efforts, insurgent groups remain active and continue their attacks.
2. Economic Initiatives
Pakistan has tried to integrate Balochistan into national development projects, such as CPEC, but these efforts are seen as benefiting outsiders rather than locals.
3. Crackdown on Political Activism
Pro-independence political groups, such as the Baloch National Movement (BNM), face severe repression. Activists and journalists covering Balochistan have been jailed or disappeared.
: The Future of the Baloch Conflict
The Baloch insurgency shows no signs of ending soon. Despite heavy military crackdowns, the rebels continue their operations, fueled by grievances over resources, human rights abuses, and political marginalization.
For Pakistan, resolving the conflict requires a mix of military, political, and economic reforms. However, without addressing the core demands of the Baloch people, insurgency will persist, further complicating Pakistan’s internal security and regional stability.
The involvement of external players—whether real or exaggerated—adds another layer of complexity, making the Balochistan conflict a key issue in South Asian geopolitics.
