New Delhi: Amid raging violence in Balochistan, a Baloch activist has made a big claim. Mir Yar Baloch, president of the Free Balochistan Movement, asserted that Baloch forces could liberate Balochistan within a week if they are provided fighter jets and weapons.
The Baloch activist also alleged that Pakistan’s Army was defaming India to hide its own failures, and called it “the biggest enemy of Islam and Muslims”.
Speaking to News18 India, Mir Yar Baloch claimed that around 40 mosques in Balochistan were directly targeted by Pakistan using artillery and aerial attacks. He pointed out that had Pakistan not “captured” Balochistan in 1948, the region would either have ceased to exist or chosen to join India.
‘UN intervention needed to halt violence’
The activist sought UN intervention to bring an end to the violence in the province. “The accelerated exploitation of Balochistan’s natural resources is helping fund Pakistan’s terror machinery, enabling financial support for jihadist and extremist forces, while simultaneously being used to kill the Baloch people,” he was quoted as saying.
He made the comments as Pakistan’s security forces reportedly killed 216 militants during a week-long operation, launched in response to coordinated attacks at 12 locations across Balochistan. The military said that the attacks had claimed the lives of 22 security personnel and 36 civilians.
Mir Yar Baloch claimed that if Baloch forces were armed with fighter jets, tanks, and other military assets, the Pakistani Army would be compelled to surrender within a week. “The Baloch nation is fighting the enemy using only stones and sticks. If they receive the necessary defensive weapons, Pakistan would not be able to remain in Balochistan for more than a week,” Mir Yar Baloch said. He added that many people in the province see Pakistan as an occupying power and alleged that the international community was putting its strategic interests above the Baloch people.
‘Pak can’t compete with India’
The Baloch activist dismissed claims made by Pakistan that Baloch forces were getting Indian support. “Pakistan does not have the capacity to compete with India in terms of economy, technology, defence, and military strength. Therefore, the easiest way to discredit India is to accuse it of supporting the Balochistan independence movement,” he said. The activist said that Balochistan is not receiving any kind of backing from New Delhi.