By seizing Gulzar Imam Alias Shambay, the leader of the outlawed Baloch National Army (BNA), the ISI and the military establishment have won a significant advantage over Baloch separatist groups in the continuing conflict in Balochistan.
Shambay has expressed regret over enlisting. According to reports, security personnel detained Shambay last month, and on April 7, an ISPR press statement announced his arrest. As his arrest has been hailed as a significant development in the war against militancy in Balochistan, security authorities said that the news of his detention caused great panic among several Baloch militant organizations.
The campaign for Balochistan’s rights, according to Imam Alias Sambay, could only be carried out by legal and political channels. This is significant since it comes from a man who joined a terrorist organization in 2009 and later served as Brahamdagh Bugti’s deputy till 2018. He had remained in touch with other parties, including some adversarial intelligence services like RAW.
It is obvious that other countries, particularly India, have used militancy and terrorist activities in the province to undermine Pakistan by taking advantage of the legitimate complaints of the Baloch. Remember that our security forces apprehended Indian snitch Kulbhushan Jadhav in Balochistan as he attempted to enter Pakistan from Iran. Pakistan has provided evidence to support claims that Jadhav participated in terrorism in Balochistan. We have witnessed a rapid rise in terrorism in the nation ever since Kabul fell. The Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its associated organizations have also gained ground in Balochistan, according to numerous experts.
Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director-General (DG) of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), further disclosed that linkages between the TTP and militant Baloch organizations as well as foreign intelligence services have been established. This demonstrates that the TTP and Baloch terrorists are also utilising terrorism to undermine the nation and target both our security personnel and prominent politicians. Sirajul Haq, the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, nearly avoided a suicide attack just last week when his convoy was targeted in Zhob, Balochistan. Shambay’s arrest will undoubtedly open the door for a campaign against militant leaders and the organizations they have ties to.
Pakistan’s Balochistan region is a crucial component. It demonstrates their fear and malicious intentions that hostile organizations and nations like India are focusing on a resource-rich area. Additionally, the Baloch must be persuaded to change their ways of thinking. We can only hope for ongoing peace in a frequently tense region and an end to the practice of enemy agents from across the border trying to sow unrest in the region when Balochistan perceives itself as an equal part of Pakistan. It is crucial that the rights of the Baloch are granted through a legal and political process while also destroying the province’s devastating militancy.
