By: Gohram Aslam Baloch
Following recent attacks along the Gwadar-Jiwani coast guard, a banned Baloch insurgent group, BLA, has announced a new unit, “Hammal Maritime Defence Forces (HMDF)” (X.com, April 12, 2026). The name appears to reference “Mir Hammal-e-Jihand Hoth” (حمل جیہند ہوت), a historical Baloch figure associated with resisting Portuguese control along the “Baloch coast” (بلوچ ساحل), suggesting an attempt to draw symbolic continuity with past coastal resistance.
The timing, alongside rising Iran-US-Israel tension and stalled Islamabad talks, points to a possible strategic shift toward maritime targets. This story explores whether this signals a new phase in the Balochistan insurgency, linking historical narrative, evolving militant tactics, and broader regional dynamics.
The coastal history of Balochistan is not merely about geography; it is a continuous narrative of resistance, identity, and survival. Figures like Hammal are not just individuals in folklore but enduring symbols, representing local defence and the aspiration for autonomy against external domination. In the 15th century, the maritime expansion of the Portuguese and their interference along the Makran coast introduced new threats to local populations. In such a context, figures like Hammal Jiyand emerged, who not only took it upon themselves to defend the “Baloch coast” but also linked that defence to Baloch honor and dignity.
Although the bravery and courage of young men like Mir Hammal, and the sacrifices of Baloch who gave everything for their homeland, prevented the Portuguese from firmly establishing themselves on the soil of Balochistan, and he continued to defend the Baloch coast until his last breath, the Portuguese still succeeded in expanding their commercial and religious interests along the Indian Ocean. This expansion reached several regions of East Africa as well as parts of India, including Goa and Pondicherry.
Perhaps one reason for this was that the Portuguese were more loyal to Christianity than to the state of Portugal itself. They sought to impose their religion through force, which led to resistance from Muslims and followers of other faiths along the Makran coast and in East Africa. In contrast, the British, while pursuing their commercial and economic interests, generally did not attempt to forcibly impose their religion on local populations. As a result, they faced comparatively less resistance and were more successful than the Portuguese in establishing their colonial dominance (Daily Jang newspaper, December 16, 2018).
This historical narrative is not just a memory in contemporary Balochistan; it has become a living reference point. Modern resistance movements actively draw upon these historical symbols to construct their political and militant discourse. The operations carried out by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), including the 2019 series of operations in Gwadar named “Zir Pahazag”(زرپہازگ)(Protection of the Sea), indicate that the defence of the coast and resources remains central to their struggle (Daily Sangar, August 21, 2021).
The arrival of the Portuguese in the history of India holds significant importance, as it led to transformative and far-reaching changes in the region. Among the European nations, the Portuguese were the first to reach the land of India. Indian trade goods were in high demand in European markets. These goods were transported either through overland routes or via sea routes. However, with the rise of the Ottoman Empire, the overland routes were effectively blocked, creating the need to discover a new route to India (The Express News, April 17, 2026).
However, in the 16th century, the Portuguese seized control of several regions of Makran, including this area. In 1581, they set fire to two major trading towns of the region, Pasni and Gwadar. Not only Gwadar, but after plundering numerous ports, including Thatta in Sindh, they burned them to ashes (Balochistan Blogspot).
More recently, the establishment of a unit named “Hammal Maritime Defence Force” reflects a continuation of this historical lineage. The choice of this name is not incidental but deliberate, an attempt to connect past resistance with present struggle. It signals that just as Hammal once resisted Portuguese incursions to protect the Baloch coast, the contemporary movement views itself as inheriting that same legacy (History of RIND Baloch, April 29, 2021).
At the same time, an important transformation is visible. The current resistance is evolving beyond traditional, loosely organized forms into a more structured, strategic, and media-oriented movement. The use of social media statements, videos, and symbolic naming of units demonstrates an effort to gain global attention. This more “scientific” and organized approach is part of a broader narrative warfare, where history, identity, and resistance are framed into a coherent and persuasive discourse.
However, this historical continuity should not be viewed solely through a romanticized lens of resistance. It must also be understood within its broader political, economic, and regional implications. The coast of Balochistan remains geopolitically and economically significant, and control over it continues to be a point of contestation between various state and non-state actors.
Thus, from Hammal Jihand to the present-day HMDF, a narrative emerges that intertwines history, resistance, and politics. It is a narrative that not only reflects the past but also seeks to shape the present and future, where questions of coast, resources, and identity remain central.
In any political or resistance movement, revisiting historical events in this way, reframing them within present-day realities, and reshaping the struggles of national heroes to align with current contexts can serve as a powerful source of inspiration for the public, especially for youth in the concerned region like Gwadar, Pasni, and Jiwani.
In Balochistan, particularly along the coastal belt, Hammal-e-Jihand is widely regarded as a heroic figure. People in Gwadar, Pasni, and other coastal areas take pride in his resistance against the Portuguese, viewing it as an integral part of Baloch history.
It is said that Hammal fought to the very end against the Portuguese, defending his land and coastline. However, he was neither defeated nor did he fall into their hands in battle. Later, he was captured through a trap, like a lion ensnared. It is further said that after his arrest, the Portuguese ruler offered to pardon him on the condition that he marry his daughter. But Hammal refused and responded by reciting:
(جن پرگانی حمل َ پسند نہ بنت)
یا حمل َ وتی ملک ِ کاڈ کمارچمی دوست بنت)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Balochistan Post or any of its editors.