From the Forecast: Militant attacks rock Pakistan’s Balochistan
More than 70 people have been killed, including security personnel, civilians and militants, after coordinated attacks claimed by separatists in Pakistan’s Balochistan province since Sunday. The attacks, deemed the province’s deadliest in recent history, are said to have been carried out by?800 fighters belonging to the separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)?and targeted police stations, paramilitary camps and public infrastructure. Pakistan’s Army responded quickly to the attacks,?killing 21 militants and losing 14 members of security forces?in the process. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised to provide the military with “any financial resources” needed as it continues its operations to find the perpetrators of the attack.?
Watch for
Although the BLA itself?was formed in 2000, the province has been home to a decades-long insurgency with the primary goal of independence from Pakistan’s central government. Prime Minister Sharif has refused to engage in any negotiations with the group, saying talks could only be held with those who “acknowledged Pakistan’s Constitution and flag.” The recent attacks indicate the BLA has?become more organized?and its operational capabilities have increased, meaning unrest in the region could become the norm. The BLA routinely targets?non-local workers in the province, especially those hailing from Punjab, and more attacks can be expected. Analysts also believe the recent attacks were an attempt to?sabotage the country’s efforts to secure international investment?in the province, which is home to a number of large China-led projects.?Attacks against Chinese workers, as previously claimed by the BLA, are common and the trend is likely to continue.?
In the Factal Forecast podcast Jimmy Lovaas interview Awais Ahmad regarding Balochistan for even more information on the situation there.
Other stories covered in the Factal Forecast are;
And the Extended Outlook.
Every Thursday our editors send the Factal Forecast to subscribers who need to know what's happening next week.