photo credit : Express Tribune
The Turbat attack, which occurred on March 25, 2024, dealt a significant setback to the insurgent militants inhabiting the southeastern region of Pakistan. Attackers struck at the second-biggest PNS Siddique Naval facility in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province. A soldier of the Frontier Corps named Noman Fareed was killed in the assault. However, a swift counterattack eliminated all four assailants who had attempted to penetrate the base. The attack was led by the Majeed Brigade of the Baluch Liberation Army (BLA), a rebel group and suicide bomber group that has been known for assassinating since it was founded in 2011. Majeed forces operate along the Afghanistan and Iran border. The rebel group BLA thinks that both China and Pakistan are exploiting natural resources, which is baseless and against the prevailing facts.
Pakistan has been in the wave of terrorism for the last two decades. Insurgency was prevalent along Afghanistan’s and Iran’s borders. Significant progress has been considerably impeded in the region as a result of the struggle against terrorism. Aware of the circumstances, BLA and BNA organizations received assistance and propaganda from outside sources.
In order to encourage development in this province, Pakistan is collaborating with China. Energy, minerals, and the restoration of deep-sea ports are among the most prominent industries. Regional development and national security are at risk due to the relentless efforts of the BLA to degrade Baluchistan and the port. Simply off the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, the deep-water port of Gwadar is critical to oil routes in the Arabian Sea. The port, constructed and operated by a Chinese state enterprise in adherence to a long-term accord with the Pakistani government, is the central location of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an ambitious bilateral project valued at several billion dollars. Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is based on this attempt to promote regional economic development and cooperation.
China and Pakistan are naturally concerned about the current spike in insurgency. The rise in regional security threats, including ten assaults in the first three months of 2024, is posing a significant threat to Pakistan’s interests. The security services must respond quickly and work together to protect crucial projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and prevent terrorist threats.
Protecting the CPEC has always remained a top priority for the security forces because it is a milestone in the country’s progress. Because of their unweaving dedication, over 200 people have sacrificed their lives while doing their jobs. Despite potential risks they confront, such as assaults by insurgents, these soldiers sacrifice their lives for the betterment of the region.
The reemergence of these insurgent groups is taking full advantage of the country’s worst economic situation and gaining the sympathies of the local people. However, the people of Baluchistan are pretty familiar with these groups, which operate with foreign funding. Their ambition is clear to derail the country from the ongoing progress. However, the security forces and people of Baluchistan will not let it happen as the developed Baluchistan will bring opportunities to the youngsters tomorrow, which will indeed be the end of all deprived discourses.