On August 11 in 1947, Balochistan was finally freed from the shackles of British imperialism and the Kalat state announced its freedom and sovereignty.
Balochistan has been divided by the British empire into three parts through Goldsmid and Durandlines. Baloch Nation has always stood against the oppression of British imperialist forces. In 1839 the Baloch leader Khan Mehrab Khan fought bravely against a powerful enemy, knowing the fact that they wouldn’t be able to win the battle against a force like the British Empire. But he fought, because he knew he was right that this land belongs to him and this land and the people of this land are his people and they will always remember his bravery and fought against any forces in the same manner.
The achieved freedom of Balochistan in 1947 lasted only for about seven months, when the newly created Pakistan and the neighbouring country of Balochistan bribed some of the tribal chiefs and used force against the Kalat state to force The ruler of Balochistan, the Khan Kalat to sign the annexation papers on 27th March 1948.
The Baloch nation since the beginning of this forceful annexation has refused to be part of the Pakistani state. They have resisted Pakistani oppression on many occasions. The Baloch rebellion began in 1948 and it is continuing to this day. The resistance movement has seen many ups and downs in the last seven decades. The Baloch nation has faced brutalities, military operations, forced to leave their homes and migrate into different parts of the region. Thousands of Baloch men, women, children and elderly have been killed and thousands of others have become victims of enforced disappearances.
Looting of resources has also continued across Balochistan for the last seven decades . Whether it was Gas from Dera Bugti, or the coal from Bolan and adjoining areas. Or it was the coastal area of Gwadar that has been used to plunder the resources of Balochistan and keep them below the poverty line.
Balochistan has been kept deprived, educational institutions have been turned into military camps and the Pakistani forces have used every possible tactic to prevent Baloch nation to keep them away from their demand for freedom. However the Baloch liberation struggle with the passage of time have shown that the Baloch freedom seeking forces will not bow before the occupying forces of Pakistan, and they will continue their struggle for freedom.
The truth of Pakistani claims of crushing the Baloch liberation movement exposed on August 11 in 2018, when Rehan Aslam, son of BLA’s assassinated chief Aslam Baloch, carried out a suicide attack against the Chinese engineers in Dalbandin area of Balochistan. Rehan Aslam’s act became a symbol of bravery among the people of Balochistan and tremendous amount of love and support from the Baloch nation was shown towards Rehan, his mother Lumma Yasmeen and Aslam Baloch. This act was called selfless and the most bravest in the history of Balochistan or even in the history of humankind.
Where a son is getting ready to sacrifice himself and his mother and father instead of shedding tears or trying to stop him, not only support him but bravely cover him in the flag of Balochistan and pray for his success in his mission. After Rehan Aslam’s attack the Chinese engineers in Dalbandin, Balochistan. The dynamics of Baloch politics have changed. Majeed Brigade lethal suicide squad of Baloch Liberation Army, since then have claimed that they have carried out many suicide missions, including attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistani stock exchange in Karachi, attack on Gwadar Pearl Hotel, attack on Chinese engineers in Gwadar, attack on Naushki and Panjgur military camps which is the most lethal attack of any Baloch organisation till this day. And the latest attack by Majeed Brigade has also shocked the whole Baloch society where a Baloch female suicide bomber Shari Baloch, targeted and killed three Chinese nationals, belonging to Chinese government backed Confucius institute.
The month of August has historical significance in Balochistan’s history. In the month of August the Pakistani forces killed the elderly Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, in the same month Raza Jahangeer leader of BSO – Azad was killed along with Imdad Bujer a regional leader of BNM.
Today the Baloch nation commemorates 11 August as the day of Balochistan’s independence to renew their oath of regaining freedom from Pakistani occupying forces. The Baloch nation is also remembering Rehan Aslam on this day by paying him tribute using the hashtag #RehantheLegend.
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.