Balochistan Train Hijack

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for hijacking the Jaffar Express.

About Balochistan

• It is the largest but least populated of Pakistan’s four provinces – Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 
• Ethnic Groups: Baloch, Brahui, and Pashtuns.
• It has substantial reserves of oil and gas, alongside gold and copper deposits, but has lagged in economic growth compared to other regions in the country.
• The province has been the site of a series of insurgencies, brutal state repression, and an enduring Baloch nationalist movement since 1948.

Background of the Insurgency 

• 1947 Partition of Balochistan: The region was divided into four princely states: Kalat, Kharan, Las Bela, and Makaran.
  • During Partition, Kharan, Las Bela, and Makaran chose to join Pakistan, while Kalat opted for independence.
• Treaty with Muslim League: On August 11, 1947, Kalat signed a treaty with the Muslim League, recognizing its independence.
• British Resistance: Despite recognition, the British issued a memorandum stating the Khan of Kalat was unprepared for international responsibilities.
• Pakistan Military Action: On March 26, 1948, the Pakistan Army moved into Baloch coastal regions (Pasni, Jiwani, Turbat).
  • The Khan of Kalat had no choice but to agree to merge with Pakistan.

Insurgency and Discontent

• Forceful Integration: The annexation of Kalat into Pakistan led to discontent and resistance among the Baloch people.
  • Many nationalists saw the integration as a betrayal of their autonomy and cultural identity.
• Insurgencies: Balochistan experienced numerous uprisings for independence, though Pakistan managed to suppress them.
• Current Status: Once a sovereign state, Balochistan is now the most neglected and poverty-stricken province of Pakistan.
  • Despite being the largest province and rich in minerals, Balochistan contributes only about 4% to Pakistan’s economy.
• Balochistan Liberation Army: The BLA are a Baloch ethnonationalist group who emerged in the 2000s with the aim of achieving independence for Balochistan.
  • Pakistan banned the organisation in 2006, and the United States designated it as a global terrorist organisation in 2019.

India’s Stand on Balochistan

• Complex Position: India’s stance on Balochistan is shaped by geopolitics, regional stability, and its relationship with Pakistan.
  • The India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir makes any involvement in Balochistan a potential trigger for escalating tensions.
• Support for Self-Determination: India supports the right to self-determination for Balochistan’s people but avoids interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
• Overall, India’s stance on Balochistan involves expressing concerns about human rights violations without interfering into the internal affairs. 

Source: IE