102 PAK SOLDIERS KILLED IN BALOCHISTAN, BALOCH MASSACRE PUNJABIS

 Pakistan in the bad news again. Balochistan is on fire again. Baloch rebels seeking independence for Balochistan have killed over 102 Pakistani soldiers and a number of Punjabi civilian workers in Balochistan. They have also targeted Punjabi travellers on buses.

 

    Summary

• Punjabis taken off buses and killed
  
• Militants target Punjabis who they say exploit their resources
• at least 23 Punjabi civilians killed 
• targeting Punjabi labourers coming to area to work
  

    Most widespread assault by ethnic insurgents in years
    Pakistan's largest province is home to China-run projects
    Coordinated attacks target police outposts, transport links
    Rail traffic with Quetta suspended following bridge blast

• QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 26 At least 73 killed in Pakistan's Balochistan 
• militants attacked police stations, railway lines, highways Monday
• most widespread in years by ethnic militants to win secession

• Rail traffic cut following blasts on rail bridge 
• also struck rail link to Iran
• six unidentified bodies near railway bridge

• militants targeted police and security stations in Balochistan
• Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility 
• operation "Haruf" or "dark windy storm". 
• more attacks not yet confirmed by authorities.

• BLA wants expulsion of China and independence for Balochistan

OSTB : Pakistan is an Islamic country and hardly a democracy. You can hardly believe anything their government says. 

Here is a gist. There is this country called Pakistan. Out of 252 million population, 45% (112 million) are Punjabis.  The other main groups are the Sindhis, the Pakhtuns (Pushtuns), the Balochis. They all speak different languages and have their own cultures.

The Punjabis have dominated Pakistan since its formation in 1947. Their politics, military, economics, universities, government departments are all dominated by the Punjabis.

The Sindhis dont like it, the Pushtuns dont like it and the Baloch certainly dont like it.

Until 1971 about 68 million Bengalis (Bangladesh now) were also part of Pakistan. The Bengalis also did not like the domineering Punjabis. 

In 1971 the Bengali party under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won the Pakistan national elections. Mujibur Rahman, a Benggali, was the clear cut candidate to become prime minister of Pakistan. But the Punjabi dominant "west" Pakistan would not have it. 

There was a massacre, genocide, civil war etc and long story made short the new state of Bangladesh was born, independent of Pakistan. 

In 2006 the per capita GDP of Bangladesh overtook Pakistan. 
In 2016 the per capita GDP of Bangladesh overtook India.

• It looks like it is the turn of Balochistan now. 
• They want to be independent of Pakistan. 
• The Baloch are not against all of Pakistan. 
• The Baloch have good relations with the Pushtuns and Sindhis.
• Their main gripe is against the Punjabis.

• Punjabis taken off buses and killed
  
• Militants target Punjabis
  
• at least 23 Punjabi civilians killed 
• targeting Punjabi labourers coming to area to work

Here is a more relevant point : Likewise the entire Pakistan is not against the Baloch. The Pushtuns, the Sindhis plus other ethnicities do not have problems against the Baloch.

This is a Punjabi - Baloch thing. The Baloch refer the Pakistani Army as the 'Panjaabi Army'.

 

So this is not all of Pakistan against the Baloch and vice versa. My view is just like Bangladesh, Balochistan will also break away. 

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.