‘Not Pakistan's people': Why Balochistan is turning to India amid a firestorm

Time of India

14-05-2025

The
Baloch Liberation Army
(
BLA
) has escalated its armed campaign against the Pakistani state, claiming a wave of attacks that stretch across multiple districts in Balochistan. The campaign, called 'Operation Herof 2.0', involved 78 coordinated operations at 58 locations, including key strikes on military posts and security infrastructure.
The situation in Balochistan is reaching a critical juncture. Calls for independence are no longer confined to isolated militant groups. There is now a coordinated, vocal, and increasingly public push for sovereignty. Keywords like "Baloch Liberation Army", "
Republic of Balochistan
", and "
Balochistan independence
" are trending across digital platforms. This is no longer a low-intensity conflict. It's a rebellion at full tilt.
Seven attacks in 24 hours
In a recent string of assaults, BLA fighters took control of a key highway at Ornach Cross in Khuzdar for more than two hours. During this time, they conducted vehicle checks and targeted two trucks allegedly transporting natural resources from the region.
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"Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters maintained control of the highway at Ornach Cross in the Khuzdar area for over 2 hours. During the blockade snap checks continued, while 2 vehicles involved in looting
Baloch
national resources were targeted," said BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch.
The group claimed it captured and burned down a Levies Force checkpost and later attacked a military post in Panjgur using automatic weapons and rocket launchers. "BLA freedom fighters targeted a post of occupying Pakistani army at Nokabad in Panjgur on Sunday night. Fighters attacked occupying army with automatic weapons, while rocket launchers and several shells using grenade launchers were fired at enemy army. The attack lasted more than 25 minutes during which at least 2 occupying army personnel were eliminated and 5 were injured," he said.
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The BLA also claimed responsibility for seizing surveillance cameras in Paroom Jain and detonating a remote-controlled IED targeting a Bomb Disposal Squad in Kalat, resulting in two deaths.
Also Read:
'Republic of Balochistan announced' trends on social media as Baloch leaders declare independence from Pakistan
Intelligence agents executed
In a separate development, the BLA claimed to have captured and executed four alleged undercover agents of Pakistani intelligence. According to Jeeyand Baloch, "Freedom fighters neutralized 4 agents of Pakistani intelligence agencies in the Galangor area of Noshki. These included Moin s/o Ghulam Mustafa, resident of Pakpattan; Huzaifa s/o Muhammad Latif, resident of Pakpattan: Imran Ali s/o
Maqsood Ahmed
and Irfan Ali s/o Maqsood Ahmed, resident of
Raheem Yar Khan
."
He added the men were first detained at a checkpoint on May 9 and later confessed to working as informants.
An ongoing campaign of resistance
The BLA stated these actions are part of its broader resistance against what it terms as "occupation". Additional operations took place in Sibi and Kachi, including grenade attacks on army posts and armed ambushes.
"These attacks are a continuation of BLA's ongoing resistance strategy, 'Operation Herof,' against the occupying state," said the spokesperson. "Baloch Liberation Army makes it clear that such operations will continue until national liberation is achieved."
The group also launched a larger offensive on May 12, involving 71 attacks across 51 locations.
Rejection of Pakistan and International appeal
Speaking to a wider geopolitical context, the BLA urged both India and the international community to act decisively against Pakistan. "Every talk of peace, ceasefire and brotherhood from
Pakistan
is merely a deception, a war tactic and a temporary ruse," the group stated.
It labelled Pakistan a "breeding ground" for global terrorists and called for it to be recognised as a terrorist state. Dismissing accusations of foreign backing, Jeeyand Baloch declared, "The BLA is neither a pawn nor a silent spectator; we are a dynamic and decisive party."
Mir Yar Baloch declares Independence
In a dramatic development, Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch declared independence from Pakistan. Citing decades of "air bombings, enforced disappearances and genocide," he posted on X, "Baloch people across Pakistan Occupied Balochistan are up on streets and this is their national verdict that Balochistan Is Not Pakistan and world can't be a silent spectator any more."
Mir Yar stated, "We have already declared our independence on 11 August 1947 when Britishers were leaving Balochistan, and the subcontinent."
He also made a pointed appeal to Indian media and citizens. "Dear Indians patriot media, the youtube comrades, the intellectuals fighting to defend Bharat are suggested not to refer to Balochs as 'Pakistan's Own People'. We are not Pakistani, we are Balochistani. Pakistan's own people are the Punjabi who never faced air bombings, enforced disappearances and genocide."
Mir Yar publicly supported India's call for Pakistan to vacate Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), warning, "The international community must urge Pakistan to immediately leave PoK to avoid another humiliation of surrender on its 93000 army personnel in Dhaka."
He concluded by urging the world to recognise Balochistan's independence and support its fight for survival, justice, and freedom.
Balochistan, despite being rich in gas, minerals, and coastline, remains one of Pakistan's most underdeveloped provinces. The Baloch people have long accused Islamabad of exploiting their land without returning any benefits. Since its controversial incorporation into Pakistan in 1948, voices demanding autonomy or secession have grown louder.
Reports from
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch
cite widespread human rights abuses, including the disappearance of thousands of activists, students, and journalists. Many have been labelled as "terrorists" or "foreign agents". Mass graves discovered in several districts have only deepened public anger and suspicion of state-led violence.
Today, Balochistan finds itself in open revolt. The insurgency is armed, public, and ideological. For the people on the ground, this is more than politics. It is survival.