INDIA FIRST | INTERNATIONAL DESK |
On May 14, 2025, Baloch leaders, including activist Mir Yar Baloch, publicly declared Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan. This announcement quickly trended on social media as “Republic of Balochistan announced” and came amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Appeals to India and the International CommunityAppeals to India and the International Community
• Mir Yar Baloch urged India to allow a Baloch embassy in New Delhi and called on the United Nations to send peacekeeping forces to Balochistan, demanding the withdrawal of the Pakistani army from the region.
• He also appealed for international recognition and support, including financial aid for establishing Balochistan’s currency and passports.• He also appealed for international recognition and support, including financial aid for establishing Balochistan’s currency and passports.Escalation of Armed Resistance
• The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has intensified its campaign, claiming responsibility for over 70 attacks across Balochistan as part of “Operation Herof 2.0.” These included coordinated strikes on military posts, infrastructure, and attacks on Pakistani intelligence agents.
• The BLA also claimed to have killed 14 Pakistani soldiers in a recent attack and temporarily controlled a key highway in Khuzdar.
Human Rights and Local Sentiment
• Baloch leaders cite decades of violence, enforced disappearances, and human rights abuses as reasons for their push for independence. Mir Yar Baloch emphasized that Balochistan is not Pakistan and urged Indian media and the public not to refer to Balochs as “Pakistan’s own people”.• Baloch leaders cite decades of violence, enforced disappearances, and human rights abuses as reasons for their push for independence. Mir Yar Baloch emphasized that Balochistan is not Pakistan and urged Indian media and the public not to refer to Balochs as “Pakistan’s own people”.Ongoing Conflict
• The situation remains highly volatile, with continued military operations by both Pakistani forces and Baloch fighters. The BLA has also started targeting Chinese investments in the region, specifically those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
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