Insurgency in Balochistan: Afghanistan to be urged to eliminate BLA sanctuaries

Will escalate operation in several districts of the province

ISLAMABAD:

Top civil and military leadership has decided not only to exert pressure on Afghanistan to eliminate safe havens of Baloch insurgents in its territory but also resolved to escalate operation in several districts of Balochistan to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries ahead of Chinese president’s visit.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister House, army chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday held a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in which matters relating to Balochistan situation came under discussion.

Sources said that Gen Raheel apprised the PM about his visit to Quetta and the latest updates on Baloch insurgents. The COAS also shared preliminary report on the recent killing of 20 labourers in Turbat.

Both the leaders agreed to mount pressure on Afghanistan to take action against safe havens of Baloch insurgents in Spin Boldek and other areas of Afghanistan which share border with the restive Balochistan.

The sources said security and intelligence agencies have completed their homework on Dr Allah Nazar, head of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which had claimed responsibility for the recent killing of labourers.

Like Mullah Fazlullah, the head of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Dr Allah Nazar is also hiding in Afghanistan and carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan from across the border.

In the coming days, Pakistan is likely to enhance diplomatic pressure on Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to address this issue and ask his Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to stop supporting Baloch insurgents.

Being the chief executive Abdullah holds control of Afghan intelligence agencies, which, according to sources, are playing an active role in supporting and facilitating terrorist activities in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

Operation in Balochistan

In view of the coming visit of the Chinese president, the PM and the army chief agreed to escalate operation against Baloch insurgents in several districts of Balochistan using paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC).

The army chief apprised the PM that the BLAs’ recent attack in Turbat was an attempt to disrupt Chinese president’s visit and to give a negative message to Chinese workers in Balochistan.

Chinese president during his visit will inaugurate projects including Gwadar operational and economic zone and Baloch insurgents have made plans to carry out terrorist activities during the trip, sources said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2015.