Amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the situation in Balochistan has taken a dramatic turn, with Baloch leaders declaring independence from Pakistan. This declaration comes after recent cross-border military operations between India and Pakistan. Baloch writer Mir Yar Baloch has been a central figure, urging India to establish a Baloch embassy in New Delhi and appealing to the UN for peacekeeping forces while demanding the withdrawal of the Pakistani army.
The declaration has sparked considerable reaction, with "Republic of Balochistan" trending on social media. Mir Yar Baloch asserted that Balochistan was never part of Pakistan, citing decades of alleged atrocities, including air bombings, enforced disappearances, and genocide. He has requested Indian media to recognize Balochs as distinct from Pakistanis, recalling Balochistan's initial declaration of independence on August 11, 1947.
Adding to the developments, Hyrbyair Marri, the London-based president of the Free Balochistan Movement, has requested that India rename Jinnah's House in Mumbai to 'Balochistan House'. He suggested that the site, where Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah once planned India's partition, should now be a place for Baloch leaders to plan their own independence.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has reportedly intensified its attacks on Pakistani forces, claiming responsibility for over 51 attacks. These attacks, which included targeting military convoys, intelligence centers, and mineral transport vehicles, were aimed at testing military coordination and strengthening readiness for future organized warfare. The BLA has also begun targeting Chinese investments and engineers working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan.
The situation in Balochistan is complex, with the region having a history of conflict and a struggle for liberation. Balochistan is rich in natural resources, but locals have allegedly not benefited, leading to long-standing resentment. Pakistan's army chief has blamed the unrest on a small number of people, while Islamabad has accused India of supporting the resistance.
Balochistan's strategic importance is also noteworthy. It is the largest Pakistani province, yet it remains relatively underdeveloped and sparsely populated. The region is split across Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, and it has links to South India through the Brahui language, a Dravidian language spoken by nearly 2 million people in the province.
Amidst these developments, the BLA has reportedly appointed a Hindu woman to a leadership position, though details remain scarce in available sources. The announcement of independence and related events are unfolding against a backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, with both nations having launched military operations against each other. India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), was followed by claims from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that over 100 terrorists were killed.
The situation in Balochistan is being closely watched by the international community, with concerns over regional stability and human rights violations. The Baloch people have long alleged human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The call for the UN to send peacekeeping forces reflects the urgency of the situation and the desire for international intervention.
