Resources worth billions, almost half of its area; What will Pakistan lose if Balochistan leaves Pakistan, it will only have…
Amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and the counter actions from India in the form of ‘Operation Sindoor’, one important thing that has continuously remained in news is the Baloch Liberation movement. Balochistan is the south-western province of Pakistan and it remains one of biggest security headaches of Pakistan due to the decades of armed rebellion. As per media reports, the Balochistan Liberation Army has conducted more than 50 attacks across Pakistan. However, have you ever thought about what would happen if Balochistan decides to secede from Pakistan.
About Balochistan
Balochistan is a historical region in West and South Asia. Located in the Iranian plateau’s far southeast and bordering the Indian Plate, it is the largest state of Pakistan as per area. Talking about the resources, the Balochistan region of Pakistan is the one of most resource rich regions of the region.
Resources of Balochistan
As per a report by Asia Times, Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan by area, is a geological treasure trove. The report mentions that the Chagai region lies within the Tethyan Magmatic Arc, a mineral-laden zone spanning Europe to Southeast Asia renowned for its copper and gold wealth. Also, the nearby Reko Diq mine holds an estimated 5.9 billion tonnes of ore, ranking it among the world’s largest untapped reserves.
Balochistan spans approximately 347,190 square kilometers which alone accounts for nearly 39.37% of Pakistan’s total land mass, which is around 881,913 square kilometers. Therefore, if Balochistan decides to leave Pakistan, Pakistan will lose resources worth billions and almost half of its area.
BLA claims responsibility for deaths of 14 Pakistani Army personnel
Very recently, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for two separate attacks that resulted in the deaths of 14 Pakistani Army personnel in Bolan and Kech. The BLA’s Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS) carried out a remote-controlled IED attack on a military convoy vehicle in the Shorkand area of Mach, Bolan, as per a report by news agency ANI.
The blast reportedly killed all 12 soldiers on board, including Special Operations Commander Tariq Imran and Subedar Umar Farooq. The vehicle was destroyed in the explosion.
In another operation, BLA fighters targeted a Bomb Disposal Squad of the Pakistani Army in the Kulag Tigran area of Kech. The remote-controlled IED detonated around 2:40 PM yesterday while the unit was conducting a clearance mission. Two personnel were killed in the attack.
(With inputs from agencies)
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