Following the recent "Operation Sindoor" conducted by the Indian armed forces, Balochistan activist Mehran Marri has voiced strong support, stating that such actions were "long due". The operation, which targeted nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, has sparked considerable reaction, particularly in light of recent events in Balochistan.
The operation was launched in response to a terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, in which 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali citizen were killed. According to an official statement, the Indian military targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which were allegedly used to plan and execute attacks against India. The Indian government emphasized that the operation was "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," with no Pakistani military facilities targeted.
The timing of "Operation Sindoor" is particularly noteworthy, as it followed an attack in Balochistan in which seven Pakistani soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device. Pakistan has blamed the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) for the attack. This backdrop adds complexity to the situation, with Marri's comments suggesting a sense of support within some Baloch communities for actions targeting Pakistan.
Pakistan has responded to "Operation Sindoor" by vowing retaliation, with Pakistani officials stating that Indian forces fired missiles at five locations. The situation remains tense, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives. India maintains that the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure, while Pakistan decries it as an act of aggression.
Mehran Marri's statement underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region. Balochistan has long been a region of conflict, with Baloch separatists fighting for greater rights or independence from Pakistan. The Pakistani government has been accused of human rights abuses in the region, further fueling tensions. In this context, "Operation Sindoor" is viewed by some as a response to the support that Pakistan provides to anti-India elements.
The situation remains fraught with risk, and de-escalation is critical to prevent further conflict. Whether "Operation Sindoor" will lead to a broader shift in the regional dynamic remains to be seen.
