Pakistan‘s largest and most resource-rich province, Balochistan, is at an important point in its history. It was long thought to be of less importance to Pakistan’s national security, but it is now at the core of a serious and carefully thought-out effort to undermine the nation from inside. This is not a purely local or coincidental campaign. It is a component of an international scheme that exploits regional problems to advance separatist ideologies. The problematic engagement of India is at the core of this scheme.
India has conducted covert activities to undermine Pakistan’s peace and unity under the guise of regional cooperation and diplomacy. It is no coincidence that Balochistan has seen an increase in terrorist assaults recently. More than 550 attacks occurred in 2024 alone, resulting in hundreds of injuries and more than 300 fatalities. These assaults weren’t haphazard or impromptu. They were meticulously planned and financed, the kind of assistance that could only come from a powerful foreign nation.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist organisation that has become more violent and daring in its activities, is at the core of these attacks. The attacks on the Gwadar Port Authority in March 2024 and Quetta Railway Station in November 2024 are noteworthy. These were acts of terrorism rather than merely protests, and India is the source of their backing.
Evidence that India’s intelligence agency, RAW, has been arming, funding, and training Baloch militants has been supplied by Pakistan on numerous occasions. India, posing as a victim of terrorism itself, uses internet propaganda and on-the-ground aid to advance the idea of Baloch independence. The core of India’s policy against Pakistan is this double standard.
The BLA’s “Operation Herof 2.0,” which included over 70 attacks in 58 locations throughout Balochistan, is a recent example of India’s assistance. These attacks are obviously supported at the state level based on their scope, coordination, and weaponry. These attacks were covered by Indian media, which delicately presented the militants as freedom fighters. India’s long-term objective to destabilise Pakistan includes using the media to distort the facts.
The March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express was one of the most devastating incidents. The passenger train was assaulted by BLA-affiliated militants, who killed 64 innocent persons and injured numerous more. This ruthless slaughter was intended to instill terror and erode popular confidence in the government’s capacity to defend its citizens. The professional planning and advanced weapons used point again to foreign help, with Indian involvement strongly suspected.
Interference by India in the area is not new. From the East Pakistan conflict in 1971 to its actions in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, it has a history of interfering in the affairs of its neighbours. Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian Navy officer and RAW agent, was arrested in Balochistan in 2016, confirming India’s involvement in inciting turmoil in the region. His admission and the information available at the time revealed a continuous Indian intelligence operation.
The increasing collaboration between Baloch rebels and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is what makes the current situation even more hazardous. Despite having distinct philosophies, these two parties are now cooperating, and external actors, particularly India, are probably helping to facilitate this change. Their coordinated assault in early 2025 in South Waziristan, which resulted in the deaths of more than 20 security guards, is a grave warning. India is utilising proxy groups to carry out its intentions because it knows that a direct conflict with Pakistan would be expensive.
Pakistan’s security forces are currently confronted with a dual threat: the online and international propaganda war, as well as the terrorists on the ground. India wants to destroy Pakistan’s reputation and internal cohesion in addition to causing physical harm. India is attempting to incite instability in other regions of Pakistan by disseminating the myth that Balochistan is on the verge of independence. However, these attempts will fail. Years of hardship and sacrifice have created a strong and cohesive Pakistani nation.
External authorities must not be permitted to use internal issues for their own ends. Through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan has already begun development projects in Balochistan, bringing infrastructure and investment to the area. Since these initiatives give the populace genuine hope and advancement, they pose a challenge to separatist organisations and their foreign supporters.
Pakistan requires a coordinated strategy going forward. To combat terrorists and eliminate their hideouts, military action is essential. Pakistan must simultaneously expose India’s acts on the global front through diplomacy. It’s also critical to bolster cyber defences and combat online misinformation. It is crucial to elevate the voices of patriotic Baloch leaders who support unity. Gaining Balochistani citizens’ trust requires socioeconomic improvements.
India’s assertions that it supports human rights in Balochistan are unfounded. Instead of aiding the Baloch people, its activities are intended to destroy Pakistan. In this fight, Pakistan is hardly a defenceless victim. It is a proud, powerful country that has always protected its territory. Balochistan is a proud region of Pakistan and will continue to be so; it is not a battlefield for India. Our national strength is being put to the test by this wave of violence, and Pakistan never gives up, as history demonstrates. Balochistan will defeat this foreign-sponsored insurgency and maintain its strong membership in the Pakistani federation by demonstrating unity, fairness, and resiliency.
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