Duki attack

The recent rocket attack on coal miners in Balochistan’s Duki district, which claimed the lives of at least 20 innocent labourers, is a stark reminder of the province’s deteriorating security situation. Armed men, using rockets and grenades, targeted these miners in the early hours of the morning, leaving the province reeling from yet another senseless act of violence. While no group has officially claimed responsibility, the pattern of violence suggests the involvement of separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), who have increasingly turned their focus toward ethnic targeting and attacks on labourers. This attack is just the latest in a series of violent incidents plaguing Balochistan. In September alone, there were 17 terrorist attacks in the province, as reported by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), while the third quarter of 2024 saw a staggering 90 per cent surge in fatalities in the country. The majority of these attacks occurred in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militants continue to undermine Pakistan’s stability, often targeting the most vulnerable – labourers, traders, and ethnic minorities. Earlier in August, militants killed 23 passengers after offloading them from buses and trucks in Musakhel, singling out individuals from Punjab. The aim appears clear: to stoke ethnic tensions, destabilise the region, and erode the fragile bonds holding Pakistan together.

One of the most alarming aspects of these attacks is the growing involvement of external forces. The BLA has expanded its operations, not only attacking security forces but also targeting Chinese nationals working in Pakistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Just last week, a suicide bomber from the BLA’s Majeed Brigade rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers, killing three people, including two Chinese nationals. The attack, which was meticulously planned, points to outside assistance, with India being widely accused of providing intelligence and weapons to the BLA. These actions are not just aimed at destabilising Pakistan but also at undermining its crucial relationship with China.

While the provincial government has condemned these attacks and reaffirmed its commitment to fight terrorism, it is becoming increasingly evident that military action alone cannot solve the problem. Experts and local voices alike are calling for a dual approach – one that distinguishes between terrorists and the broader Baloch population. The grievances of the Baloch people, long ignored by successive governments, must be addressed if any lasting peace is to be achieved. These include economic marginalisation, lack of development, and political disenfranchisement. The government must initiate meaningful dialogue with Baloch leaders and citizens, ensuring that their legitimate concerns are heard and acted upon. Simultaneously, the state must continue its efforts to dismantle terrorist groups like the BLA, which are bent on destabilising the country. However, treating the entire Baloch population as adversaries would be a grave mistake. The distinction between Baloch citizens and militants must be maintained, with the former given a seat at the table and the latter dealt with through stringent law enforcement. It is also critical to tackle the root causes of terrorism in Balochistan. Decades of underdevelopment and neglect have left the province vulnerable to the influence of insurgent groups. The attack on the coal miners in Duki, the murder of ethnic Punjabis, and the targeting of Chinese nationals all form part of a broader pattern of violence designed to weaken Pakistan and its alliances. The government, both at the provincial and federal levels, must act swiftly and decisively, not only against the terrorists but also in addressing the underlying grievances that allow such groups to thrive.