May 11, 2020
Pakistan Army seeks Iran's assistance in dealing with militants after six soldiers killed in Balochistan
Pakistan Army Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday sought Iran's cooperation in dealing with Baloch militants allegedly operating from its soil.
General Bajwa called Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri against the backdrop of last Friday's attack on a Frontier Corps patrol in Balochistan's Kech district in which six troops, including Major Nadeem Bhatti, were killed.
Iranian official newswire Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the two generals discussed military developments, security of borders and the coronavirus crisis.
General Bajwa, IRNA reported, "urged the exchange of expert delegations to maintain border security and prevent terrorist moves on common borders". He also informed the Iranian commander about the measures being taken by the Pakistan government to prevent unauthorized cross-border movement.
Pakistan and Iran share over 900km-long border, which is infested with militants and drug traffickers. Terrorist groups operating along the border have in the past carried out several attacks. Therefore, border security has for long remained a major irritant in bilateral ties.
According to the daily Dawn, the two neighbors have over the past few years cooperated extensively in improving border security by undertaking several measures, including deployment of additional troops.
Friday's attack in Balochistan province took place as the troops, who were assigned to search for smuggling routes and militants, were returning to their camp from a mountainous area near the border with Iran.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility of the attack. In a statement quoted by Indian media the BLA said one army vehicle was destroyed in the Friday attack when the bomb installed by its members went off near the convoy.
The statement claimed the army major killed in the attack had recently led operations against local residents. The group said it will "continue its struggle until the establishment of an independent homeland and a free society."
The Baloch Liberation Army has been operating in the province for the past several years. It usually targets security forces and authorities have said it has the support of foreign intelligence agencies.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and least populated province, will see a number of new roads and a port constructed under the $56 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an infrastructure and energy corridor that sees southwestern China linked to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.
The BLA and other armed Baloch separatist groups have frequently targeted Chinese personnel since the launch of CPEC, terming the project an "imperialist" endeavor.
In July 2019, the United States designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a terrorist organisation, for carrying out several attacks in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan.
The outfit has carried out several terrorist attacks in the past year, including a suicide attack in August 2018 that targeted Chinese engineers in Balochistan, a November 2018 attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, and a May 2019 attack against a luxury hotel in Gwadar, Balochistan, the Department of State statement said.
Indian Connection
It is a common knowledge that the Baloch separatists receive funds from India for carrying out subversive activities in Pakistan.
In March 2016, Pakistan arrested an Indian operative Kulbhushan Yadav who was imparting Naval fighting training to Baloch separatists in an attempt to target Pakistani ports.
During interrogation it was revealed that Yadav had purchased boats at the Iranian port in Chabahar in order to target Karachi and Gwadar ports in a terrorist plot.
It was also revealed that Yadav used to visit Pakistan and lure Baloch students to carry out anti-national and other destabilizing activities by offering huge funding. Installations in coastal areas of Gawadar, Pasni, Jevani and other places in Balochistan were the target of Yadav.
According to the Director General of Pakistan army's media department Kulbhushan Yadav was given the task to attack a five-star hotel in Gwadar where Chinese nationals used to stay.
Tellingly, in August 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that India is backing Baloch separatists.
In August 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated: "Today from the ramparts of Red Fort, I want to greet and express my thanks to some people. In the last few days, people of Balochistan, Gilgit, [and] Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have thanked me, have expressed gratitude, and expressed good wishes for me."
On another gathering in August 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said : The time has come when Pakistan shall have to answer to the world for the atrocities committed by it against people in Baluchistan."
The separatist Balochistan Republican Party (BRP) leader Braham dagh Bugti, who has applied for political asylum in India, thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the issue of the situation in Balochistan in the latter's Independence Day speech.
Abdus Sattar Ghazali is the Chief Editor of the Journal of America (www.journalofamerica.net) email: asghazali2011 (@) gmail.com
The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
Your donation
is tax deductable.
