By: Sarang Baloch
In history, colonizers have often manipulated facts and created discourses to conceal the truth from their people. It is widely known that the Kalat state was attacked and occupied by Pakistan on March 27, 1948, resulting in Balochistan becoming a war zone. Today, the freedom movement in Balochistan is surging, led by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in their pursuit of Baloch land’s liberation.
The dynamics of the freedom movement have experienced fluctuations since Pakistan’s occupation, but a significant turning point came with the Fidayee attack carried out by Rehan Aslam Baloch, a member of the Majeed Brigade. Rehan Baloch, the son of General Aslam Baloch, the founding leader of the Baloch Liberation Army, executed a self-sacrificing attack on Chinese engineers in the Dalbandin area of Balochistan in 2018.
Since then, the freedom struggle has witnessed substantial changes, displaying heightened intensity in the conflict. The Baloch Liberation Army has employed diverse and dangerous tactics, including the abduction of high-ranking enemy army personnel and Fidayee attacks on enemy camps in Panjgur and Nushki.
One of the most perilous attacks conducted by the Majeed Brigade was the assault on the PC Hotel in Gwadar. Fidayeens occupied the hotel for 27 hours before sacrificing themselves. The attacks on the Chinese consulate and the Karachi Stock Exchange further emphasized the Majeed Brigade’s capability to strike anywhere, anytime until Balochistan achieves freedom.
The Baloch Liberation Army, with its elite units such as the Majeed Brigade, Fateh Squad, and Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), has executed numerous high-level tactical operations. STOS successfully abducted an enemy army colonel, subsequently executing him. They also kidnapped a junior commissioned army officer and an ISI member, demanding a prisoner exchange. This marked the first instance of the BLA making such a demand from the enemy.
General Aslam Baloch, the former commander-in-chief of the BLA, possessed a powerful ideology that continues to resonate today. His successor, Basheer Zeb, has carried the movement forward, leading to increased attacks and overall momentum.
A significant milestone in Baloch militant history occurred in April 2022 when Shari Baloch, an educated teacher and mother of two, became the first female fidayee of the Majeed Brigade. She carried out a suicide bombing targeting Chinese interests in Karachi. Another female fidayee, Sumiya Qalandrani Baloch, targeted a high-ranking ISI member in Turbat in June 2023. In her final message, she declared the defeat of the enemy and called upon Baloch freedom fighters to continue their unwavering struggle for their motherland’s liberation.
General Aslam’s mission and the ideology he instilled in the BLA have provided structure and organization to the Balochistan liberation movement, serving as evidence of an ongoing struggle. The enemy has been psychologically shaken and is unable to halt the Baloch freedom fighters. Both Pakistan and China find themselves powerless. The current struggle for Baloch freedom has reached its peak, with the Baloch freedom fighters resolute in their pursuit of liberation for the sake of future generations.
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.