Geographically, Balochistan is a land of extremes: it makes up approximately 44% of Pakistan's total landmass, yet it is home to only about 5-6% of the country’s population. The Baloch people are a predominantly Sunni Muslim ethnic group with a distinct cultural and linguistic identity.
History of Balochistan: The Roots of Dissent
Balochistan was historically ruled by the Khan of Kalat as the State of Kalat. Before the partition of India, the region comprised four princely states: Kharan, Makran, Lasbela, and Kalat.
After the independence of India, Baloch people claimed independence but after the departure of the British, the other princely states and the Quetta municipality ratified the merger of Balochistan into Pakistan without the consent of tribes. Balochistan was annexed by Pakistan in 1948. It was seen as early violence in 1948, 1958, 1963-64 and 1973-77.
The 1948 Rebellion
This is the origin of the modern conflict. While the other three states merged with Pakistan, the Khan of Kalat initially declared independence on August 15, 1947. Under significant pressure, the Khan signed the instrument of accession in March 1948. However, his brother, Prince Abdul Karim, rejected this merger and led the first armed revolt from the mountains, marking the beginning of the Baloch insurgency.
1954: Opposition to One Unit Policy
In 1954 the first major Baloch conflict emerged against the One Unit policy of Pakistan which merged Balochistan into West Pakistan in 1955.
1958: Declaration of Independence
In 1958 the Khan of Kalat, Nawab Nauroz Khan declared independent Balochistan but he was made to surrender and after that he was imprisoned.
1963 Conflict and Provincial Recognition
In 1963 another conflict emerged and Pakistani troops were withdrawn and Balochistan as a province was recognised in 1970.
1973-77: Demand for Autonomy
In 1973 Baloch people demanded autonomy and it was a four year long conflict which was based and inspired by the 1971 independence of Bangladesh.
2006: Killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti
On August 26, 2006, a popular Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed by the Pakistan army in a blast.
Dr. Abdul Wahid Baloch, the president of the Baloch Society of North America (BSO-NA) stated that Pakistan used the Gwadar project to change demography by settling Punjabis in Balochistan and making Baloch into a minority in their homeland.
Incidents and Notable Events (2005–2026)
The conflict has been defined by a cycle of violence, human rights allegations, and militant retaliation:
2005: A lady doctor was raped by Pakistan army personnel at the Sui Gas hospital in Dera Bugti (Dr. Shazia Khalid rape case).
May 2004: The Balochistan Liberation Front killed Chinese engineers in Gwadar.
2009: Baloch leaders Ghulam Mohammed Baloch, Lala Munir and Sher Mohammad were found dead in Turbat.
2011: The BLA targeted a politician in Quetta with a suicide bomb.
2013: Lashkar-e-Jhangvi killed approx 96 people by suicide attack.
2022: Shari Baloch who was the first female suicide bomber targeted the Confucius Institute in Karachi.
January 2024: Operation Dara-e-Bolan was started where BLA militants started to capture the highways.
Iran also conducted missile strikes on Jaish al-Adl military camps in Pakistan.
In retaliation Pakistan also targeted BLA and BLF camps in Iran.
March 2025: Mahikan Baloch attacked a military convoy in Kalat; she was the first female suicide bomber of BLA's Majeed Brigade.
March 2025: Jaffar Express, a train, was hijacked by BLA-J militants, then in Operation Green Bolan approx 33 insurgents and 26 non-insurgents were killed.
Late March and April 2025: Mahrang Baloch was arrested and a series of protests started across Balochistan.
The 2026 "Black Storm"
On January 31, 2026, the militants started coordinated attacks on multiple cities including Quetta and Gwadar.
Operation Herof 2.0 was launched by BLA on 31st Jan 2026, Herof, meaning ‘Black Storm’. It is a simultaneous suicide bombing and armed assault across multiple cities including Quetta, Gwadar, and Nushki. In the battle of Nushki the rebels occupied the town seizing government buildings and taking official hostages but were driven out by the military using drones and helicopters on February 4.
Pakistan military launched Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 1 and authorities claim more than 200 militants were killed in this response. The government also banned gatherings, and mobile data internet services were also suspended in many areas.
Major Insurgent Factions
The insurgency consists of several key groups, often operating under an umbrella of shared goals:
- BLA (Baloch Liberation Army)
- Baloch Liberation Army Azad
- Baloch Liberation Army Jeeyand
- Balochistan Liberation Front
- Baloch Nationalist Army
- Balochistan Nationalist Army Beerbahag
- Baloch Republican Army
- Baloch Republican Army Beebagar
- Baloch Republican Guards
- Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army
- United Baloch Army
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Natural Resources and the Economic Gap
Although Balochistan is in unrest, it is also packed with natural resources. It has metal minerals like copper and gold and also has untapped reserves like the Reko Diq deposit in Chagai and Saindak project.
It also has energy resources like natural gas and coal in reserves spread across districts like Harnai and Duki.
It is also said to have other minerals like chromite, iron ore, marble, emerging critical minerals like antimony, lithium and also Rare Earth elements.
Even though full of natural resources the people of Balochistan are not getting the benefit of its natural resources; they continue to face acute electricity and water shortages. The Balochistan government has been informed it does not receive any share of revenue from the Gwadar Port.
Human Rights, Governance, and Accountability
The history of conflict in Balochistan creates a record of separation, brutality and violation of human rights by the state of Pakistan and the army.
There is an acute need for cooperation between the leaders of Baloch and the Government of Pakistan. Inclusive political processes can take place with meaningful dialogue which can engage the people of Balochistan. The authorities of Pakistan have to take accountability for extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances of the Baloch people which creates unrest in civilians. And also the political prisoners should be released as a gesture of good faith so that a gesture of trust could be created between the Baloch and the authorities of Pakistan.
Even though Balochistan is rich in natural resources it is not getting the revenue share of it. If the projects are focused on the welfare of the people of Balochistan then it will also create trust in the government and it may create jobs for the people of Balochistan. All the projects and development must be consented to by locals and also the infrastructure projects should permit employing local Baloch labour over foreign workers like the people from China.
Balochistan is also connected with Afghanistan and Iran, so there must be strategic and regional diplomacy. It could help stabilize the border areas and also neutralize cross-border militant support.
And lastly, the most important part is the transparency of governance; to implement independent oversight and community monitoring of development funds is necessary to prevent misappropriation and ensure resources reach the intended communities of Balochistan because force may temporarily suppress the violence but it could not lead to sustainable solutions; it is only possible if Balochistan is treated as an equal partner in the Pakistan federation through justice and democratic inclusion.
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