A Land of Struggles and Strength Balochistan, a land rich in untapped potential, vast mountains, and resilient people, has long been a victim of violence orchestrated by external forces. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), an outlawed militant group, has inflicted widespread terror, targeting Pakistanis in a bid to instill fear and propagate a false separatist narrative.
Voices of the Victims
BLA’s brutality deeply impacts families across Balochistan. Muhammad Aslam, a father from Punjab, lost his son in a targeted attack: “They killed my son just because he was working here.” Non-Baloch workers, from coal miners to construction workers, are systematically killed to fuel ethnic tensions.
Despite the violence, Balochistan’s people remain resilient. Rehmatullah, a shopkeeper in Quetta, says, “We don’t want war; we want progress. BLA fights for money, and it’s our children who suffer.”
Raj Bibi, an elderly woman, recalls being forced off a train with her family, walking for miles in the harsh terrain. Ghulam Nabi, another survivor, remembers, “We were thirsty, and there wasn’t a drop of water.” The pain of survival was overshadowed by grief, as empty coffins lined the station, a chilling reminder of BLA’s cruelty.
Numbers Don’t Lie: The BLA’s Bloody Trail
The Jaffer Train incident highlights the human cost of BLA’s violence, with 28 casualties—27 hostages and 1 FC soldier—along with 2 missing FC soldiers and 17 injured, including military personnel and civilians. 346 were rescued, and between 32 to 35 terrorists were killed in the operation.
From 2017 to 2023, BLA-led attacks claimed over 500 lives, with more than 150 incidents in 2023 alone. These attacks have not only caused a significant loss of life but also disrupted critical infrastructure, stunted economic growth, and destabilized the region.
Also See: BLA’s Hostage Situation: A Test of Resilience and Unity
The Indian Hand: Manufacturing Terror in Balochistan
Pakistan’s foreign ministry has presented substantial evidence linking India’s RAW to the surge in BLA-led attacks, pointing to the use of high-grade explosives and encrypted communications as signs of external support. Captured militants and intelligence reports also confirm that India has poured millions into training and arming BLA militants, smuggling weapons through Afghanistan and Iran.
The 50% rise in violence over the past two years aligns with Kulbhushan Jadhav’s revelations of India’s covert operations in Balochistan, further substantiated by the EU Disinfo Lab’s 2020 report exposing India’s disinformation tactics to destabilize the region.
Alongside military aid, propaganda campaigns fuel the narrative of a “Free Balochistan” through disinformation, even recycling old visuals during the Jaffer Express tragedy to distort facts. Yet, Balochistan’s people reject division—they seek security, development, and an end to terrorism.
Balochistan Wants Development Not Destruction
Despite these challenges, the people of Balochistan remain committed to Pakistan’s unity. Major projects like the Gwadar Port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) promise jobs, trade, and economic growth. The government has focused on developing infrastructure, healthcare, and education in the region, investing in a better future for the people.
Yet, for true progress to be realized, BLA’s reign of terror must end. “We want to be part of Pakistan’s success,” says Amina, a university student in Quetta. “BLA is an enemy of peace, not a champion of our rights.”
A United Front Against Terrorism
Pakistanis, regardless of their ethnicity, have united against terrorism. The myth of a “Free Balochistan” is a narrative propagated by those who seek to divide Pakistan. The reality is clear: Pakistanis are united, and the people of Balochistan are ready to reclaim their future from the clutches of terror.
The battle against the BLA is not just a military struggle—it is a fight for humanity, justice, and the right of every Pakistani to live in peace.
A Call for Justice and Peace
While some claim to represent Baloch interests while suggesting surrender to terrorists, Pakistan’s Operation Bolan has sent a clear message—there will be no compromise with those who kill unarmed civilians. Pakistan’s stance remains firm. This attack, along with ongoing BLA-led violence, underscores the need for a united response. Balochistan’s real future lies in development, not in the divisive agenda of militant groups. Its people, regardless of ethnicity, stand ready to reclaim their land from terror and build a peaceful, prosperous future within a united Pakistan.
PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.
