Secular Baluch activists face killings, torture

I have written in one of my earlier write ups that the real objectives of USA to invade and occupy Afghanistan were not to punish the Taliban for not handing over Osama bin Laden and to destroy the so-called terror network of Al-Qaeda but to create safe and reliable routes to transport energy resources of Central Asian Republics (CAR) to its homeland. Its other regional objectives included keeping a watch on Russia and Iran, containment of China, making India a bulwark against China and ascendant power of South Asia, a key player in Afghan affairs and reducing Pakistan to a satellite of India after its denuclearization. For the realization of its primary objective, it had to ensure that Balochistan provided the desired energy corridor through Gwadar and Pasni. India too never desired Pakistan to become self sufficient economically with the assistance of Chinese by making use of Gwadar Port for import/export with CAR. Entry of China in the Indian Ocean through the shortest route did not suit strategic interests of USA and India. Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline was another sore point which had to be prevented and Iran veered towards Afghanistan by providing road connection with Chahbahar Port to ensure isolation of Pakistan.

Covert operations by CIA and RAW in Balochistan began in January 2002 and in three years the interior was sufficiently subverted; necessary infrastructure put in place in the form of contacts, 58 training camps, provision of all sorts of arms and ammunition, sophisticated communication system and huge funds. Sui-Bugti area was picked up for subversion because of its accessibility from Indo-Pak border through Reti-Rahimyar Khan sector and Kohlu-Kahan area because of a very inhospitable terrain. Bugtis and Marris traditionally antagonistic to each other were wedded for the attainment of stated objectives. Each training camp had 300-500 students. Dissident Sardars of Bugti, Marri and Mengal tribes together with Baloch nationalist parties and quislings agreed to play their game in return for power and material benefits. Motivational nodes suggested to Baloch leaders to win over sympathies of Balochis revolved around economic and political deprivation, Punjab domination and Baloch nationalism. The route to bring in munitions was from Shahgarh-Kishangarh (5 km from eastern border)-Ubaro, Kashmore-Sui-Dera Bugti-Kahan. Afghanistan route via Muslim Bagh and Iran route via Zahidan where an Indian consulate was set up were also used for covert operations. The front was lit up in January 2005 through Dr Shazia rape case, with Nawab Akbar Bugti taking the lead role. 

A shady outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) created by KGB in the 1980s went into oblivion once USSR fragmented in 1991.. It was reactivated by CIA and RAW once Balochistan flared up. The main gas supply routes Sui-Kashmor-Uchch-Multan and Sui-Kashmor-Sukkhar being only 45 km away from border with India were within turnaround radius of RAW saboteurs to blast them at will. The period from 2005 to 2007 saw worst form of terrorist activities. Hardly a day passed when there was no act of sabotage. Gas pipelines, railway lines, electric transmitters, military convoys, police stations were targeted with venom. Quetta too came under repeated bomb and rocket attacks. After a brief spell of army action, the Frontier Corps managed to cope up with the security situation at its own and has kept the army troops free of counter insurgency operations. Things have become relatively quiet after security forces succeeded in destroying most of training camps and keeping a check on supply lines. However, RAW and CIA sponsored subversive activities are continuing unabated.

Nawab Akbar Bugti who led the insurgency from a mountain cave got killed in August 2007 when the cave collapsed because of artillery shelling. He was turned into a hero after his death and became the chief motivating factor for Baloch nationalism which has now peaked and Baloch nationalists are talking of separation without any inhibitions. RAW stepped up its activities in Balochistan from mid 2007 in line with the chalked out plan and increased the discretionary budget of RAW infested Indian consulates in Kandahar, Jalalabad and in Zahidan. Sardar Attaullah Mengal who was in self imposed exile was asked to return to Kohlu to lend strength to the Bugtis and Marris and also to keep a check on Balach Marri who was heading the BLA.  After the death of Balach in end 2007 which caused a temporary setback to his mentors, late Nawab Bugti’s grandson Brahamdagh Bugti was put in his place. He is stationed in Kabul and is pawn of foreign agencies. The BLA H.Q. duly patronized by the two agencies as well as RAM is coordinating sabotage and subversion in Balochistan from Kandahar.  

UNHCR representative John Solecki was abducted from Quetta in early 2009 by BLA members on the directions of Brahamdagh Bugti at a time when UN Chairman was about to visit Islamabad. The abduction was aimed at seeking UN intervention in Balochistan affairs and to exert pressure on Pak government. His release in last April was meant to show softer side of BLA to UN. Brahamdagh stated that the BLA was not a terrorist outfit as alleged but was waging a freedom struggle. Soon after, three Baloch nationalist leaders were found brutally murdered in Turbat under mysterious circumstances. The blame was promptly put on local agencies. Baloch leaders upped the ante and as many as 14 non-locals were gunned down in Quetta. BLA terrorists helped by CIA and RAW were behind the murder of Baloch leaders who had played a key role in the release of Solecki. These Baloch leaders were on the verge of spilling beans about the role of BLA and its mentors. They were murdered to prevent the leakage, destabilize Balochistan, stoke Baloch nationalism and step up the bogey of independent Balochistan. Interior Minister Rehman Malik for the first time forthrightly exposed the role of RAW and dissident elements among the Baloch talking of separation. He however considered it prudent not to name other foreign agencies actively involved in that province to achieve their commercial interests. Non-locals in Balochistan are feeling unsafe and a large number have migrated to Punjab. The MQM supports the cause of Baloch in Balochistan.

Notwithstanding the streaks of separatism seen among dissident Baloch Sardars and Baloch nationalists, the fact of the matter is that the Sardari system has remained the bane of Balochistan and has been a serious impediment in the way of development of the province. This is notwithstanding the perverse role of rulers who cannot be absolved of their failure to redress political and economic grievances of the people of Balochistan. The Baloch Sardars have a history of keeping their people deprived of education and basic amenities of life and have all along treated them as serfs. Greater portion of funds allocated for development works are eaten up by them. They also have a history of selling their loyalties to foreign masters in return for material benefits. Among them Sardars of Marri and Mengal tribes have all along been troublesome and looked towards outside powers for help. Nawab Bugti had always sided with the government and was despised by the people of Balochistan. He was led up the garden path by CIA and RAW and he fell in their trap. Apart from the role of few Baloch Sardars and camp followers, the ordinary Baloch are highly patriotic and honorable. Very big numbers are settled in urban and rural Sindh, in Punjab and in NWFP. There is heavy induction of Baloch in the armed forces particularly in the army. No trace of separatist tendencies is found in them. It is however unfortunate that our rulers instead of establishing communication with them are once again trying to woo the Sardars and are talking of reviving Sardari system that was abolished by Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto in 1973. This trend should be reversed.