Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province, is a paradox of wealth and want. Rich in natural resources and strategic significance, it remains embroiled in a protracted struggle for autonomy and recognition. This article delves into the historical and contemporary facets of the Balochistan conflict, shedding light on its roots, evolution, and the recent escalation epitomised by the Jaffar Express hijacking.
Historical Context: The Genesis of Discontent
The roots of the Balochistan conflict stretch back to the era of British colonialism, when Baloch territories were treated as a buffer zone between British India and Persia. The Khanate of Kalat, a semi-autonomous princely state, enjoyed relative independence under British suzerainty. However, the turning point came in 1947 when the princely states were given the choice to accede to either India or Pakistan or remain independent. Kalat, under Khan Ahmed Yar Khan, initially chose independence, citing historical sovereignty and cultural distinctiveness.
However, in 1948, Pakistan annexed Kalat through a controversial agreement, signed under immense pressure. This marked the beginning of Baloch resentment and a long-standing narrative of betrayal.
The forced accession was not accepted by many Baloch leaders, including Prince Abdul Karim, the Khan’s brother, who led the first armed insurgency in the same year. This moment set a precedent, where force and suppression became the state’s approach and resistance became the response. What followed was a historical trajectory filled with mistrust, failed promises of autonomy, and systemic marginalisation.
The Baloch narrative of victimhood was reinforced by the central government’s heavy-handed policies and continued disregard for Balochistan’s ethnic and political uniqueness. This genesis of discontent laid the foundation for a multi-decade conflict that persists to this day.
The Evolution of the Baloch Resistance
Baloch resistance evolved in distinct waves, each triggered by a different set of grievances and political developments, but all bound by a shared desire for autonomy and dignity. The first wave in 1948, led by Prince Abdul Karim, was symbolic but poorly organised. The second wave in 1958-59, led by Nawab Nauroz Khan, was more organised and emotionally charged. Nauroz Khan’s tragic end – after being lured into surrender and watching his family members executed – etched itself into Baloch collective memory as a betrayal of unimaginable scale.
The third major insurgency (1963–69) coincided with Cold War politics and was marked by guerrilla warfare, as Baloch fighters targeted military installations and infrastructure. It was followed by the most intense phase in the 1970s after the dismissal of the elected Balochistan provincial government by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Thousands of Baloch fighters took to the mountains, prompting a brutal counterinsurgency campaign involving the Pakistani army, air force, and helicopter gunships — some allegedly provided by Iran.
The most recent wave, from 2004 onwards, marks a new era driven by educated youth, urban warfare tactics, and the emergence of groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). This phase is not only more sustained but ideologically sharper, drawing inspiration from nationalist narratives and deep-seated frustration with political marginalisation and economic exploitation.
What is the ‘BLA’? And what are they doing in Pakistan?
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is one of the most prominent and controversial armed separatist groups in South Asia, operating primarily in the restive province of Balochistan, Pakistan. It emerged as a powerful symbol of resistance against what many Baloch nationalists perceive as decades of exploitation, marginalisation, and state-led oppression by Islamabad. While the Pakistani state labels the BLA a terrorist organisation, a significant portion of the Baloch population, along with sympathetic observers internationally, view it as a freedom movement fighting for the legitimate right to self-determination.
The BLA is believed to have originated in the early 2000s, although its ideological and organisational roots trace back to earlier Baloch nationalist movements, particularly those following the military operations of the 1970s. It formally gained visibility in 2004 when it claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Pakistan’s security infrastructure, including bombings, ambushes, and targeted killings. Over time, it evolved into a guerrilla force that operates in the mountainous terrain of Balochistan, using hit-and-run tactics, sabotage, and media propaganda to further its objectives.
The organisation’s declared goals include:
- Establishing an independent and sovereign Balochistan.
- Ending resource exploitation by the Pakistani state and Chinese investors, especially in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- Resisting what it calls the “militarisation and colonisation” of Balochistan by the Pakistani Army.
In recent years, the BLA has expanded its operations beyond traditional borders. In 2018, it launched an audacious attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, claiming it was a symbol of economic occupation. It has also repeatedly targeted Chinese nationals and assets linked to CPEC, positioning itself as a key actor in the broader resistance against China’s strategic footprint in Balochistan.
The Pakistani government, in response, has intensified counterinsurgency operations and cracked down on suspected BLA sympathisers. The BLA, in turn, has gained traction on international platforms and with Baloch diaspora communities, who advocate for international recognition of Balochistan’s struggle.
Interestingly, in May 2025, following India’s Operation Sindoor and the subsequent declaration of Baloch independence by Mir Yar Baloch, the BLA publicly backed the move and claimed to have taken control of strategic locations such as Mangochar city. This marked a turning point in the movement’s confidence and military capabilities, and signalled a shift in its approach from underground resistance to overt territorial assertion.
While the path ahead remains uncertain, the BLA continues to occupy a central role in the Baloch nationalist landscape, both as a manifestation of long-standing grievances and as a potent force challenging the existing geopolitical order in the region.
Timeline: Key Events in the History of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)
| Year | Event |
| 2000 | The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) formally emerges as an organised insurgent group, following decades of Baloch nationalist unrest. |
| 2004 | BLA claims responsibility for a series of bomb blasts targeting security forces and government installations in Quetta and other areas. This marks its official entry into the militant insurgency. |
| 2005–2006 | After the assassination of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti during a military operation, the BLA’s ranks swell. The incident galvanises support for Baloch nationalism and escalates violence. |
| 2010 | Pakistan officially bans the BLA and designates it as a terrorist organisation. The United Kingdom and later the United States followed suit. |
| 2018 (Nov) | BLA carries out a high-profile suicide attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, killing four people. The group claims it was targeting China’s increasing influence in Balochistan via CPEC. |
| 2019 (July) | A BLA-linked faction, the Majeed Brigade, attacks the Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar, aiming to strike Chinese workers and investors. |
| 2020–2023 | BLA continues small-scale guerrilla attacks on Pakistani military outposts, railways, and energy pipelines. Reports emerge of increasing urban sabotage and a shift to modern warfare tactics. |
| 2024 (March) | BLA hijacks the Jaffar Express train near Bolan, taking hundreds of passengers hostage and demanding the withdrawal of military presence in Balochistan. The event draws global attention. |
| 2025 (May) | In response to India’s Operation Sindoor and amid nationwide unrest in Pakistan, the BLA backs the declaration of independence of Balochistan. The group claims control over Mangochar city in Kalat district, signalling a new phase of open confrontation. |
Contemporary Dynamics: The Jaffar Express Hijacking
One of the most audacious acts of insurgency in recent years was the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in March 2024. Claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the hijacking was a high-stakes operation targeting a symbol of federal connectivity and control. The train was en route from Quetta to Rawalpindi when insurgents intercepted it, took passengers hostage, and issued a set of demands centred around the withdrawal of military forces and acknowledgement of Baloch rights.
While the Pakistani authorities quickly launched a counter-operation, the incident drew massive media attention and international curiosity. What made it especially significant was the meticulous planning involved and the BLA’s ability to dominate media narratives for several hours. For the insurgents, it was not just a tactical operation but a political statement – a bid to expose the state’s vulnerability and assert the legitimacy of their cause.
This hijacking was not an isolated incident; rather, it reflected a broader trend of shifting insurgency tactics from remote attacks to high-visibility urban operations. The state’s failure to preempt such a strategic disruption raised serious questions about its intelligence apparatus and the broader effectiveness of its counterinsurgency efforts. It also forced policymakers to reassess the depth of resentment simmering in Balochistan.
Underlying Grievances: The Heart of the Conflict
At the core of the Baloch conflict lie deeply embedded grievances rooted in political exclusion, cultural alienation, and economic exploitation. Balochistan, despite being the largest province by area and home to vast reserves of natural gas, coal, copper, and gold, remains the most underdeveloped region in Pakistan. The local population often accuses Islamabad of plundering their resources while offering little in return.
The discovery of natural gas in Sui in the 1950s was supposed to usher in prosperity, but instead, it became a symbol of resource colonialism. While Punjab and Sindh benefited from this gas, many parts of Balochistan continued to rely on firewood and diesel. Furthermore, infrastructure projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have intensified tensions. Although pitched as a game-changer for development, many Baloch see CPEC as a land grab, where locals are neither consulted nor benefited.
Culturally, Baloch nationalists argue that their identity is being eroded through forced assimilation. The absence of Baloch language and history in textbooks and the overrepresentation of Punjabis in administrative and security services add to the feeling of disenfranchisement. At its heart, the conflict is about dignity, representation, and a yearning for genuine federalism – or for some, outright independence.
International Dimensions: A Geopolitical Quagmire
The Baloch conflict is no longer an isolated internal struggle – it has evolved into a geo-strategic puzzle involving multiple regional and global stakeholders. Pakistan often accuses India of covertly supporting Baloch separatists, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to Balochistan in his 2016 Independence Day speech. While India officially denies any such involvement, Baloch activists have found sympathetic ears in Indian civil society and media.
Iran, which shares its southeastern border with Balochistan, has its own concerns about Baloch separatism spilling over into its Sistan-Baluchestan province. Occasionally, both countries have coordinated to clamp down on cross-border militant activity. Meanwhile, China, with its massive CPEC investment through the Gwadar port, is becoming increasingly invested in the region’s stability. Attacks on Chinese nationals and infrastructure have placed pressure on Pakistan to deliver security at any cost, leading to militarisation that often worsens civilian alienation.
The West, especially the United States and the UK, has had a complicated stance. While there is occasional human rights commentary, there is also reluctance to antagonise Pakistan – a key player in regional security and counterterrorism. The net result is a web of competing interests where the Baloch cause risks being reduced to a bargaining chip in larger geopolitical games.
Voices of Peace: The Role of Civil Society
Amidst the conflict, civil society and human rights organisations offer a sliver of hope for reconciliation and dialogue. NGOs, student unions, and independent journalists have consistently tried to bring attention to the plight of missing persons, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances. Baloch families, particularly women, have led powerful protests and long marches demanding accountability and justice.
Student groups like the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) have not only kept nationalist ideas alive but have also emerged as vocal advocates for peaceful change. Their writings, speeches, and peaceful protests challenge the state narrative and call for dialogue over military dominance. Similarly, platforms like the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have documented the systemic human rights abuses that fuel radicalisation.
There are also voices within Pakistan’s mainstream society that call for inclusion and decentralisation as the path forward. Scholars, retired military officers, and regional politicians have urged Islamabad to adopt a reconciliatory approach through genuine political autonomy, equitable resource sharing, and preservation of cultural identity. These peace-oriented efforts may not yet be mainstream, but they represent the only viable path to a lasting resolution.
The Rise in Confidence: Declaration of Independence Post-Operation Sindoor
On May 9, 2025, the geopolitical landscape of South Asia experienced a seismic shift when Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent Baloch writer and activist, declared the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan. This proclamation came in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor, a series of precision strikes launched on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was a response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, predominantly tourists.
The Declaration of Independence was not merely symbolic. Mir Yar Baloch, assuming the role of Provisional President, announced the formation of the Republic of Balochistan, with Aichen Baloch as the Provisional Prime Minister. The announcement was disseminated through various channels, including social media platforms, and was accompanied by appeals to the United Nations for recognition and the deployment of peacekeeping forces to ensure the protection of the Baloch people.
The declaration resonated deeply within Balochistan. Reports emerged of Pakistani flags being replaced with the flag of Free Balochistan in several government buildings, and slogans supporting independence echoed through the streets. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) intensified its activities, claiming responsibility for numerous attacks across the region, including the seizure of Mangochar city in Kalat District.
Internationally, the declaration drew varied reactions. While no country officially recognised the Republic of Balochistan, the move garnered significant attention in Indian and European media outlets. Mir Yar Baloch appealed to India to allow the opening of a Baloch embassy in New Delhi and urged the global community to support the Baloch cause.
The declaration of independence, bolstered by the momentum from Operation Sindoor, marks a pivotal moment in the Baloch struggle for self-determination. It underscores the deep-seated grievances of the Baloch people and their unwavering quest for autonomy and recognition on the global stage.
Conclusion: Balochistan – Between a Lost Past and a Contested Future!
The story of Balochistan is not merely a chapter in South Asian geopolitics—it is a poignant narrative of identity, resistance, and unfulfilled promises. From the tribal honour of Nawab Nauroz Khan to the militarised assertion of the Baloch Liberation Army, and from clandestine insurgencies to televised hijackings, every event in Balochistan’s timeline reflects a simmering discontent that has refused to fade. The region’s abundant natural wealth has ironically become its curse, fuelling decades of economic extraction without equitable development or political voice.
The recent declaration of independence post-Operation Sindoor marks a dramatic turn, but it also underscores how the Balochistan conflict is no longer confined to Pakistan’s borders—it has evolved into a matter of international concern and regional recalibration. While the strategic corridors of CPEC may redraw maps, they cannot erase the lived realities of marginalised communities or the ghosts of Balochistan’s chequered history.
Yet amidst this chaos, a glimmer of hope persists. Civil society groups, human rights activists, and a growing global Baloch diaspora are echoing a call not just for freedom, but for dignity, justice, and reconciliation. Whether this region will move towards constructive dialogue or spiral deeper into violence will depend on the choices made not only in Islamabad, but also in international capitals.
Ultimately, understanding Balochistan requires more than headlines or military briefing – it demands a return to human stories, cultural complexities, and historical contexts that have long been overlooked. For India, South Asia, and the world, the Balochistan question is no longer one of “if,” but of “when”- and how it will reshape the future of the region.