A deadly armed conflict broke out between the two opposing groups of Balochistan, leading to the death of 7 people and severely injuring 12 more. The violent clash is the latest testament to the spiking domestic political instability in Pakistan.
On Sunday, in the border town of Chaman in Balochistan that borders Afghanistan, a violent confrontation between two opposing groups erupted, leading to the death of 7 people and many more injured. This incident, coupled with the persistent high tensions prevailing in the Balochistan region over autonomy demands and border disputes, has led to the shutdown of the Quetta-Chaman highway, causing severe traffic jams and disrupting mobility. Also, the blockade of a crucial highway has hampered trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan, causing an additional burden to the latter, which is hitherto reeling under economic crisis and difficulties to fulfill basic necessities to common people.
The tensions between the two armed groups were derailed by the intervention of security personnel, tribal leaders and other religious scholars, official sources said. However, the latest phase of escalation reinforces the fact that the Balochistan issue is growing as a massive hurdle, beyond the control of Pakistani government and security officials.
Baloch Fighters Attack Pakistan Army
In a major upheaval, on July 19th, Balochistan Freedom Fighters attacked a Pakistan Army serving major rank officer in the Quetta region. He was targeted with a magnetic bomb; thus, the officer succumbed to death immediately. According to Baloch media, the attack on the army officer was a response from the Balochistan freedom fighters for the growing atrocities of the Pakistan army in the Baloch province. As per the reports, Balochistan accuses Pakistan for being involved in ethnic cleansing in the region.
The soaring violence in Balochistan is thus a testament to the political instability prevailing in Pakistan as a result of the government’s disregard for the demands of Bthe aloch people. The spiking Baloch civil war further deepens the political fragility of Pakistan, and until the Pakistani authorities accede to the rights, autonomy and developmental demands of the Baloch people.
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