Watch CutTheClutter: Balochistan’s long insurgency, Leftist rebels & Pakistan’s terror ranking

In Episode 1621, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta explores the roots of the Balochistan insurgency and the key factors that enabled the Jaffar Express hijacking.

New Delhi: The Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan ended with 346 hostages freed and all 50 assailants killed during the rescue operations. The train attack by the Baloch Liberation Army took place near the Bolan Pass valley in the Balochistan province.

A variety of factors made the hijacking possible, including the isolated, sparse terrain and a small population living in the province. Balochistan has had a long history of insurgency, fuelled by the geographical, political and social alienation of the province from the rest of Pakistan. The lack of development and access to facilities have exacerbated the insurgency problem.

The insurgents in Balochistan have been influenced by the Soviets when they were in Afghanistan. More than the Islamist approach, they are Left ethno-nationalists, with a Marxist ideology. Under the insurgent movement, other than the Baloch groups, there are Sindhis who work under the umbrella of different organisations.

The situation has further deteriorated due to Pakistan’s high-handed approach towards the rebel groups in Balochistan, such as the Baloch National Army and the Baloch Republican Army. The insurgent groups, in a recently issued statement, talked about coming together to form a united military front to achieve independence from Pakistan.

Other than the Baloch and Sindhi rebels, Pakistan has also been falling under attacks by the Taliban, making the country No. 2 in the global terror index.

In Episode 1621 of Cut The Clutter, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta discusses Balochistan’s long insurgency, the reasons behind it, and the higher ranking countries on the global terror index.