ISLAMABAD – Six militant organisations sponsored – funded and armed by foreign forces – are operating and involved in terrorist activities in Balochistan. According to a report prepared by the law enforcement agencies in Balochistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army, Balochistan Republican Army, Balochistan Liberation Front and Lashkar-e-Balochistan were led by Harbiar Marri (London), Barahamdagh Bugti (Afghanistan), Dr Allah Nazar (Khuzdar) and Javed Mengal (London), respectively.
Two other militant organisations involved in insurgency in the province include the Balochistan Liberation United Front and Balochistan Musalla Defah Tanzeem. Four student organisations – the Baloch Students Organisation-Azad (BSO-Azad), Baloch Republican Students Organisation (BRSO), BSO (M) and BSO (P) – affiliated with militant organisations receive support from hostile agencies.
The report said that ISAF operations in Afghanistan had implications for Pakistan warranting effective measures along border. The recent talks of extending drone attacks to Balochistan also merit serious consideration, it added. A considerable number of Afghan refugees have also had a negative impact on the security of the province, as they are involved in drugs, guns running, dens for undesirable elements and pressure on civic facilities and economy.
The report said initiatives taken by the government like the NFC Award, the Balochistan Package and the 18th Amendment had not achieved desired results. The report added that consequent deprivation among the masses had been exploited by the elite of the province and external forces – exploitation of right reasons for wrong ends. Target killings of settlers and unrest prevailed even today, which was being portrayed as a so called movement for Baloch rights with the tinge of secessionist tendency.
The report said issues being exploited by the sub-nationalists included right over the land resources of Balochistan, lack of development, unemployment among locals, development and mega projects not aimed at Baloch people, Punjab’s domination, establishment of cantonments, registration of cases against sub-nationalists and provincial autonomy.
The report said there was a visible shift from rural to urban terrorism in order to gain maximum public and media attention. It said the emerging pattern showed simultaneous upsurge in Khuzdar and Kalat, while other areas remained comparatively calm. Similarly, Kohlu, Chamalang, Sui and Dera Bugti saw occasional miscreant activities.
