Gwarjak, is the area of General Akhtar Nadeem Baloch. Akhtar Nadeem Baloch was a General of the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). He had been fighting against the Pakistani occupation on Balochistan for the last twenty years. Ajaz Baloch was the commander of that area (Gwarjak). He had come there after quitting his studies in Quetta. He was a young leader and a brave soldier.
When we talk about Balochistan, the word “war” comes into our minds. There are war crimes as well. War crimes are committed by Pakistan in the form of enforced disappearances, bombardment, killing and dumping, etc.
Baloch people are fighting against these brutalities ever since the occupation of Balochistan. We have been aware of how our brave soldiers are fighting, sacrificing themselves for the Baloch nation. When it comes to freedom fighters, we know so many brave Baloch fighters who have given their blood for freedom of the people of Balochistan. Ajaz Baloch is among those brave martyrs of Balochistan.
Today, Gwarjak has been named after Akhtar Nadeem Baloch who is a symbol of leadership and a living legend due to his intellect, courage and sacrifices. Ajaz Baloch got his primary education in his hometown. After matriculation, he continued his education in Quetta. He was aware of his nation, his motherland and the brutalities of Pakistan over the Baloch people. This was enough to convince him to quit his studies and go back to his hometown.
He was also active in BSO (Baloch Students Organisation) from where he distributed books to the students to read and be aware of what Pakistan is doing to our nation. He worked in the BSO for a long time and later on he chose armed struggle and joined BLF in 2008.
He worked day and night for the BLF (Balochistan Liberation Front). He became in-charge of the BLF of his hometown Gwarjak. Ajaz Baloch was a young charming problem solver who was aware of how to lead a town. He was revered as the young “Meer” of our town by all.
In 2009, one of Akhtar Nadeem’s brothers Asif Nadeem got martyred. He was the first martyr of the town. Cries of “freedom ” were heard in the town. There was always a war going on. A few years later, there was an earthquake in Mashkay. Many people died and many houses collapsed. The Pakistan Army took advantage of the earthquake and sent troops in the name of earthquake rescue. This way the Pakistan Army captured Mashkay.
After this the Pakistan Army spread everywhere and started burning our houses. They asked about Akhtar Nadeem and Ajaz. Luckily they were not in the town. A Pakistani colonel sent a message to Ajaz Baloch and gave an ultimatum of four months to him to surrender and be forgiven.
Surrendering to the enemy forces of Pakistan was not even an option in Ajaz Baloch’s mind. He chose death. He said, “I will not surrender, you can kill me for that. I’m ready to die for my nation. I am fighting and will fight till the freedom.” This was soon followed by attacks by the Pakistanis on our town on a daily basis.
Soon there was news that Ajaz Baloch is getting married along with his two other friends Basit Nadeem and Shah Nawaz. The families started preparing for the wedding. The wedding was scheduled for the night of 21 April 2015. As the night drew closer sound of bullets being shot could be heard. There were screams. Pakistan Army had attacked the marriage ceremony. The women of the family begged saying, “leave them, this is their marriage.” However, those shameless Pakistan Army men beat the family members, not even sparing the small children. All were beaten up and abused the family and the guests. Ajaz Jan, Aftab Jan, Shah Nawaz Jan, and Basit Jan were among four other guests who were arrested by the Pakistan Army. They killed them early in the morning, and later, handed over their bodies to the family.
Ajaz Baloch’s brother Aftab Baloch was also a BLF soldier. He also used to fight against the Pakistan Army. He was Akhtar Nadeem Baloch’s special soldier. He was married in 2011. He had two children. He too was fighting for the independence of Balochistan, for about ten years. He was also martyred along with his brother and other two grooms Basit and Shah Nawaz.
In a single day, we lost four of our gems; Aftab Baloch, Basit Baloch, Shah Nawaz Baloch, and the very young gentleman Ajza Baloch. Gwarjak came under the control of the Pakistan Army and we were forced to leave Gwarjak. But we firmly believe that one day, we will go back and liberate Gwarjak. Surely, we will liberate Balochistan.
Long live Gwarjak, the city of martyred grooms!