• Corps commanders say real face of all foreign, domestic elements ‘fully exposed’
• Denounce ‘political opportunism’ at the cost of province’s stability, prosperity

ISLAMABAD: In a stern warning, the military leadership on Friday pledged decisive action against those fuelling unrest in Balochistan and politicians allegedly attempting to exploit the situation for their political gain.

“No one will be allowed to disrupt peace in Balochistan,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement after the 268th Corps Commanders’ Conference, held at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

“The nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies, including social disruptive elements and their political backers advancing narrow interests at the cost of the province’s stability and prosperity, will be thwarted with the unwavering support of the people of Balochistan, InshaAllah,” it said.

The meeting, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir, further declared that the “real face of all foreign and domestic elements, the nexus between them and their endeavours to induce chaos and thrive on it stand fully exposed and will be dealt without impunity.”

This was the first Corps Commanders’ Conference after last month’s Jaffar Express hijacking, a rare and brazen attack in Balochistan’s Bolan Pass that marked a significant escalation in the province’s ongoing insurgency.

The 36-hour standoff ended with the tragic martyrdom of 26 hostages, including 18 military and Frontier Corps personnel, three railway employees, and five civilians. Additionally, four security personnel also lost their lives, while Pakistani forces successfully rescued over 300 passengers.

In the immediate aftermath, the Army had vowed decisive action against terrorists and their facilitators, both within and outside the country. Friday’s conference reaffirmed that terrorism in all forms will be eradicated “regardless of the cost”, with the full force of the state deployed against those acting on behalf of hostile elements.

Since the hijacking, tensions in Balochistan have escalated, with protests erupting across the province. Led by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and activist Mahrang Baloch, demonstrations intensified following the abduction of a BYC activist in Quetta.

A deadly March 21 protest led to further outrage, arrests and a widening movement. By March 25, protests had spread to multiple districts, with the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) launching a long march towards Quetta, supported by opposition parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

The corps commanders denounced this as political opportunism at the cost of Balochistan’s stability and prosperity.

The Army reaffirmed that state institutions will act firmly within constitutional boundaries, with no leniency for terrorists and their facilitators.

Gen Munir emphasised the establishment of District Coordination Committees across the country to enhance inter-agency coordination in counterterrorism operations. He stressed the importance of fully implementing the National Action Plan to ensure seamless institutional collaboration.

“There is no space for terrorists and their facilitators in Pakistan,” the Army chief asserted, reaffirming support for law enforcement agencies in enforcing stringent legal measures against illicit economic activities that finance terrorism.

The corps commanders also expressed concern over recent Indian ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.

In recent days, tensions have risen due to multiple ceasefire breaches, breaking a long period of relative calm. Such violations have been rare since Pakistan and India reaffirmed their ceasefire understanding on Feb 25, 2021.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2025