BLA’s Evolving Tactics: Emerging Threats to CPEC

 
The security dilemma in the land of Baluchistan has always remained a crucial test for the security organizations and their related establishment. Due to the geographical terrain, and because of the insurgent groups (BLA), employing various strategies while combating the enemy, the mentioned tactics have been advantageous to the insurgent groups. In several years, various steps have been adopted by the Pakistani army and military agencies regarding this menace and the existence of terrorism has significantly reduced in this area. However, grants such as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which possibly defines the insurgent group’s shift as a decisive influence in the region, have also applied it.

It has been observed that many assaults have been launched on this spine project’s side projects by guerrilla forces and which has affected their operations in the Baluchistan region and has posed problems for the security forces. Historically, it has been noted that the BLA has been involved in low-incidence of interslope fighting and ambush operations. However, it was noticeable in the recent past that the group has geared up towards more lethal attacks, particularly to the personnel and installations involved in the CPEC project. This could possibly be a titanic task for the concerned authorities to counter with.

The various strategies of the BLA are well understood, if one were to consider this as a war against individuals who are attempting to build the region for the new set of master that is going to exploit them and others through the FDI. Insurgent activity has been felt in many fronts that have affected security personnel and civilians, to the indigenous populations most of the time feel fearful. But by now, they are targeting only the infrastructure and foreign investor (Chinese) engaged in CPEC project. Referring to the BLA’s armed wing, he revealed that through this year the group has conducted three major suicide operations with more than 24 bombers an indication of a new tactic.  These attacks are observed as highly tactical and strategic executed by the insurgent group BLA because the attacks have been executed in those zones; where secure was supposse to be stringent and more numerous such as Gwadar. As mentioned by Fakhar Kak Khel, these attacks have delivered the intended message for the authorities in Pakistan that they can give their threats the message that despite strict security they can reach their designs. Moreover these are followed with threats as a signal to world also that Gwadar like other areas of Baluchistan are not safe to invest for china or any other foreign party interested.

The transition of tactics is viewed in the move from hit-and-run mode, to head-on assault on the operational and infrastructural framework of CPEC. By militancy attacks, there has been seen an increment in the number of attacks compared with the previous six-year period, which has made this become a worrying factor for security agencies. These have been focused on consulates and five-star hotels in Gwadar alongside stock exchanges. Moreover, the deeper evidence also suggests that CPEC has been Chinafied politically by extra-regional actors and is being viewed as a game- shoppers. As per the recent updates mentioned earlier, two of the commanders were arrested in different intelligence operations. On further probing it was found that the banned outfits BLA and TTP are planning terrorism activities in & against CPEC and in Pakistan IVestor India which was disclosed to the press by Minister of Interior Langau. 

Besides, he went on explaining that if you take a look at the funding that available either for the BLA and the TTP, Or their members being in other countries there is no doubt that RAW is funding them. ” Langau stated. Therefore, this clearly depicts that India is rather involved in terrorists’ activities indirectly through supporting BLA and TTP in Pakistan, and also on CPEC this impacted on its functionality and dented investors’ confidence to invest for the future in Pakistan. Increase in militancy attacks on CPEC clearly shows that how CPEC is a decisive factor for Pakistan to rise in the South Asia specifically to challenge so-called hegemonic power of India.

But that which is needed is safety of the Chinese investor and people who will be working on the project. Thus, it can be guaranteed that, within the framework of conducting a military operation in those territories, the correct work of intelligence sharing to eliminate it is required. Though, it is suggested that it will be very difficult to eradicate militancy if the indigenous people are not given the economic dividends of the said infrastructural project so that the fury of the militants is not given any room to fester.