The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of more than 450 people
. In a statement, the BLA said, “The BLA issues a final warning: if the aerial bombardment is not halted immediately, all 100+ hostages will be executed within the next hour. Majeed Brigade, STOS, Fateh Squad, and ZIRAB Unit fighters are actively engaged in countermeasures, and any further military incursion will have catastrophic consequences.”
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by size, has been plagued by separatist violence and unrest. The southwestern region makes up about 44% of the country’s land area, but only 6% of the total 240 million people live there.The region is rich in natural resources, including gas, minerals and copper, but despite this, it remains the poorest province in the country. It is home to ethnic Baloch people, who have long felt marginalised and exploited by the central government.
Since Pakistan assumed control of Balochistan in 1948, the province has undergone multiple uprisings, motivated by resentment of governmental neglect, economic exploitation, and cultural oppression.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is one of the primary separatist groups operating in the region. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces, government installations and Chinese-backed projects. The BLA seeks independence for Balochistan and has been critical of Chinese investment in the region, which they claim has only benefited outsiders.
The primary cause of Pakistan’s concern about increased activities by Baloch militants is a critical Chinese project. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a multi-billion dollar project aimed at spreading an infrastructure network worldwide.
The project has sparked controversy in Balochistan, with locals claiming they have not benefited from the investment. Instead, they argue, the project has led to the displacement of communities, environmental degradation and the exploitation of natural resources.
The situation in Balochistan has also raised human rights concerns. There have been reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and ethnic profiling.
According to a report by French news agency Le Monde, as of January 2024, the UN Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances had reported 10,078 enforced disappearances in Pakistan since 2011, with 2,752 incidents coming from Balochistan.
In recent months, there has been a surge in attacks on Pakistani security forces and Chinese personnel in Balochistan by BLA, United Baloch Army (UBA), Pakistan Taliban and other militant groups.
