Audacious Attack by Baluch Liberation forces reported at Gwadar port
The Balochistan Liberation Army carried out an audacious attack on Chinese controlled Gwadar’s Port Authority Complex.
Multiple blasts occurred after armed assailants forcibly entered Pakistan’s Gwadar Port Authority Complex, Dawn reported, citing Makran Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani.
The above is yet another reminder of the grim trajectory of where Pakistan and China’s combined exploitation of Occupied Balochistan is leading to.
This attack has come within days of a major attack on Pakistani Security Forces in North Waziristan. Attackers targeted a facility which houses government offices, including those of the security agencies.
The Majeed Brigade of Balochistan Liberation Army, has claimed responsibility for Gwadar attack. At least eight freedom fighters lost their lives, while two soldiers of Pakistani Occupation Forces were killed.
The ambush shows that far from being neutralised, the Liberation Army in Balochistan are very much becoming a potent force, gaining potential to one day liberate Balochistan.
This is not the first time Gwadar and its environs have been attacked by the BLA. Here, the Liberation war and geopolitics combine in a lethal cocktail, as Balochis target Chinese exploitation of the Region.
Even China considers Gwadar Port Complex as the jewel in the CPEC crown. While outside the Port Complex, the poor Balochis are wallowing in poverty, the luxury PC hotel provides all the luxury to the Chinese Workers. This hotel had witnessed a similar attack in 2019, also carried out by the BLA.
BLA’s attack is certainly audacious as Gwadar is said to be under a security blanket, mainly to protect Chinese nationals and others associated with CPEC projects in Balochistan.
In fact, several observers have pointed to the ‘working relationship’ between religiously inspired militant groups such as the TTP, and Baloch Liberation Army outfits.
Pakistani Security agencies are now trying to break this collaboration, or else it will compromise their security situation to a dangerous extent in KP and Balochistan.
After the Gwadar attack the Pakistani propped Balochistan chief minister said that whoever uses violence “will see no mercy from the state”. While that may be so, along with the security dimension, the socio-political and economic aspects of the Liberation movement is very strong.
Foreign investment is direly required but the fruits of these projects — whether CPEC-related, mining schemes, or others — are not reaching the poor exploited people of Balochistan. Furthermore, issues such as enforced disappearances, and miserable health and education indicators cannot be ignored.
In November, 14 Pakistan Army soldiers were killed after Liberation Forces attacked two vehicles of Occupation forces in Gwadar. The military vehicles came under attack while moving from Pasni to Ormara in the coastal district.
According to a report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies last month, Pakistan experienced 97 militant attacks in February, resulting in 87 fatalities and 118 injuries.
The report highlighted a significant escalation in violence in Balochistan, juxtaposed with a decline in tribal districts and mainland KP.
