Jaffar Express — the changed rules

The heinous attack on the Jaffar Express and the hostage taking drama by Baloch separatists close to Bolan Pass, Dadhar near Sibbi is as despicable as the APS attack by TTP et al on 16 December 2014, was. And like the APS attack, this atrocity in Balochistan is also a watershed in the ongoing fight against terrorism, that has to be fought persistently, consistently and with reckless abandon under a 'whole-of-nation approach' just like the APS case.

Militants of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on 13 March held more than 440 passengers on the KP-bound Jaffar Express. The Zarrar Company of SSG, FC, Army, PAF and other LEAs were able to rescue the passengers including over 100 security personnel going on leave and kill some 33 terrorists within 30 hours of the incident. Twenty-one civilian hostages and four military personnel were killed by BLA terrorists in 'ethnic cleansing' style. The exact numbers may vary. And as the DG ISPR has said, this operation has changed the rules of the game forever. Some important policy pointers would serve well to clear any remaining fog amongst the stake holders.

First, as one has been consistently arguing, Balochistan is not a monolith and not even 'Baloch' per se, given that Pashtuns and Brahui outnumber Baloch population, with Quetta virtually a Pashtun town, like the entire landmass north of it up to KP. Insurgency is concentrated in the greater Qalat area with some effects in the Makran Belt, Awaran, Kharan, etc. So, it needs a localised, energised and synchronised response, outlined in my earlier writings. The State needs to protect the Pashtun belt from TTP infiltration, as TTP terrorists are in alliance with Baloch militants et al. The JUI-F emerges as the trump card and needs wise handling, bolstering and support.

Second, Baloch Sardars are part of the problem. They sponsor 'ferrari' camps, blackmail the State for financial largesse in exchange for meek political support, and never outright condemn anti-Pakistan rhetoric and violence. They ride many boats. It is because of these corrupt elite who consistently resurface as wily politicians, that the fruits of development are not passed on to the common Baloch. Their stranglehold needs to be weakened and broken once and for all.

Third, the separatist militants of all shades including the BLA, Majeed Brigade, other sarmacharis, etc, and their TTP cohort, Afghan facilitators and Indian handlers need to know they cannot win from the State of Pakistan, that has yet to deploy the optimum at its disposal. When the military ups the ante, things would not be the same. Mountains of beautiful Balochistan still resonate with boots from the 1970s. It is just that the State takes a little longer to respond. And the peaceniks haven't the foggiest ideas about solution, other than State capitulation.

Four, the misled Baloch terrorists — who are led to believe by their handlers that Balochistan will become another Singapore after incorporating Gwadar port and airport, and the riches of yet to be discovered minerals — need to know they are living in a fool's paradise. There is no Lee Kwan Yew among them, and they harbour deep tribal animosities. So, the moment the thorn of 'Punjabi Miltablishment' is (if ever) removed, they would fall on one another like vultures fighting for the potential power pie. And in this process, foreign powers like Iran, India and even Afghanistan would dominate them, and their aspirations of autonomy and independence would remain a pipedream.

This is not withstanding that great powers like China and the US would never encourage their secession. If these terrorists have not watched the international reaction to the train hijacking, they better do it quickly to find out their standing. Being snapped with guns, wearing military fatigues and talking in chauvinistic jargon may seem romantic and appealing to some, it would not get them anywhere. Their best bet remains Pakistan - yesterday, today and tomorrow. And their power and money-hungry handlers exploit them fully.

Fifth, how would these wayward terrorists fight their scattered demography? Out of a total population of some 13 million Baloch, a whopping 6 million (40%) live in other provinces - happily, productively and peacefully. What if there is a reverse 'ethnic cleansing', when emotions run high. Did the BLA ever think about that possibility? It is time for all saner Baloch elements like the venerable Abdur Rehman Khetran to speak up now and speak loudly with clarity, calling a spade a spade. 'Naraz Baloch' is a bogey at best. Data can substantiate that the per capita expenditure of the State on an average Baloch in the sparsely populated Balochistan is much higher than their compatriots in other provinces. If majority Baloch cannot throw the yoke of their exploitative Sardars and spring an alternative leadership, they cannot fault others.

Sixth, the Indian bonhomie and logistic support to the BLA that was evident beyond doubt in the train saga is aimed at destabilising Pakistan as its immediate aim. They have no love-lost for the 'Muslim' Baloch beyond that. Cannot you see the plight of Kashmiris, and New Delhi's acrimony with Muslim Bangladesh 'after' its war of liberation?

Seven, what happened to the lofty ideals of Baloch traditions under the code of conduct, the Baloch Mayur? Where are the rich Baloch traditions of bravery, hospitality and protecting the underdog, who make a meagre living in their lands. Execution style killing of poor Punjabis who work as barbers, bakery workers and labourers is no Mayur, no bravery and no ghairat. These are acts of pure, wanton and culpable terrorism, abhorrent and despicable. And if the Baloch elite cannot condemn them, they need some serious soul searching.

And lastly, kudos to the resolute response by the State, especially the Army leadership in dealing with the crisis. The State should not get blackmailed by these not very powerful, insignificant and fewer elements holed up in a small area, and needs to do what it needs to do, without making noise. Pak-Afghan border should never be a limiting constraint. The hesitant bureaucracy, federal and provincial, also needs to put their acts together in this whole-of-the-nation approach as much as the politicians of all shades.

It is now or never!