Echoes of rebellion

The surge in deadly attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army in Pakistan's largest province has deep historical roots and is driven by demands for independence and control over resources

- PRABHU DAYAL

Pakistan's Balochistan province is again seeing a surge in deadly attacks, fuelled by demands for independence and control over local resources. The most recent attacks, which took place on August 26, resulted in at least 70 deaths. The coordinated assaults targeted police stations, railway lines and highways.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for these deadly attacks. Significantly, the attacks coincided with a visit to Islamabad by General Li Qiaoming, Commander of the Ground Forces of the People's Liberation Army of China.

Who are these rebels and what is the conflict all about? The Baloch are a Sunni Muslim ethnic group who live on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border, and also in parts of southern Afghanistan. For decades, efforts for autonomy or independence have been met with violent suppression on both sides of the border. In Pakistan, such efforts are viewed as attempts to fragment the nation, while in Iran, the situation is further complicated by the Baloch being a Sunni Muslim minority in a predominantly Shiite country.

Balochistan is the most sparsely populated province of Pakistan. Although it occupies 44 per cent of the land area, its population is just 7 per cent of Pakistan's population. Balochistan is rich in mineral resources. Coal, sulphur, chromite, iron ore, barite, marble, quartzite, and limestone are all abundant in the province. Balochistan has significant oil and natural gas reserves, and also considerable quantities of copper and gold.