A powerful explosion late Tuesday night rocked the railway track near Sariab Road, close to Balochistan University in Quetta, the provincial capital of POB. The blast, reportedly caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), completely destroyed a section of the railway track.

No casualties have been reported so far, but the incident has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in Balochistan. Police and security forces quickly cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. The explosion has disrupted railway operations, with the railway administration earlier canceling the departure of the Jaffar Express due to heightened security concerns.

The attack comes amid escalating violence, a region plagued by unrest and conflict since Pakistan’s forceful annexation of the territory in 1948. Just a day earlier, a police vehicle was targeted in a bomb attack on Quetta’s Kambriani Road. In another incident in Zamran, security forces’ foot patrols were ambushed, resulting in the reported deaths of two personnel.

The timing of the blast is significant, occurring on the anniversary of General Aslam Baloch, a founding leader of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The anniversary prompted Pak Army to increase security across the province, with mobile networks shut down in areas like Nushki and others.

The unrest in Balochistan underscores the region’s long-standing grievances against Islamabad, including its exploitative policies, resource plundering, and brutal military operations. The Baloch nationalist movement, which has been resisting Pakistan’s oppressive tactics for decades, continues to gain traction despite heavy-handed measures such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of dissent by Pakistan Army.

In a statement issued by Major Gwahram Baloch, spokesperson for the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), the group condemned the growing military tensions in POB following an attack on Pak forces guarding Arab sheikhs who had arrived from Qatar. The attack, which took place on December 20 in the Rodkan area of Kolwah, is a reflection of the increasing strain between the Baloch people and the Paki establishment. According to fidayeens, the Pak military’s actions are escalating the already volatile situation in POB, a region that has been under occupation since 1948.

The BLF spokesperson pointed out that Pakistan’s decision to bring foreign guests into this war-torn region is a deliberate attempt to sow discord and mistrust between the Baloch people and their neighbors. This tactic is a direct consequence of Pakistan’s broader strategy of using Balochistan as a battleground for its own strategic interests, while ignoring the long-standing demands of the Baloch people for self-determination.

For the past two decades, the Baloch have been locked in a direct struggle with the Pak Army, which has been committing atrocities against the indigenous population, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the imposition of draconian laws. The ongoing repression and violence, which the Paki establishment fail to acknowledge or address, have turned Balochistan into a place of constant suffering for its people.

Major Baloch made a strong appeal to the citizens of neighboring countries, particularly Qatar and Oman, to immediately reconsider their plans to visit Balochistan for hunting or leisure, as the region remains a war zone under Pak occupation. He said that the Baloch people, known for their hospitality, have always welcomed guests from their neighboring nations but emphasized that given the current warlike environment, it is critical for visitors to fully understand the situation on the ground before engaging with Pak military forces. Failure to do so, he warned, could endanger both their safety and their dignity.

The spokesperson also highlighted that the Baloch nation has been engaged in a relentless battle for freedom and justice. While Pakistan’s military forces continue their brutal crackdown, the Baloch Liberation Front remains steadfast in its commitment to defending the people’s rights, fighting for national liberation, and safeguarding the region from further exploitation and oppression. He pointed out that the Baloch have long suffered from the mismanagement and violence inflicted by the Pak Army, which seeks to silence any dissent with extreme force.

Further, Major Gwahram Baloch called on the leaders of Qatar and Oman to respect the sovereignty of Balochistan and to protect the safety of their citizens by discouraging any travel to the region. He stressed that the current situation in Balochistan is not one that can be ignored, and any involvement, however innocent, could inadvertently fuel the Pak military’s agenda of occupation and oppression.

The BLF’s stance is that Balochistan remains a war zone, and any involvement in its affairs by foreign powers is both unwelcome and dangerous. With the Pakistani military’s ongoing campaign against the Baloch people, no one should underestimate the dire consequences of crossing into the region under these circumstances.

The sit-in by All Parties Alliance activists and supporters in the coastal city of Gwadar has entered its eighth consecutive day, severely disrupting daily life in the city. The protesters are calling for the reopening of the border with Iran, which has been closed for several months by Pakistan. Their demand centers on the resumption of oil and other goods trade, is crucial for the region’s economic stability.

The protest leaders have sharply criticized the introduction of the token system at the Kantani Hor border, describing it as a significant barrier to trade. They argue that the system has led to increased unemployment and economic hardships in an already struggling region.

The protesters are demanding the immediate abolition of the token system and the restoration of unrestricted trade, which is essential for the livelihoods of local residents.

In addition to economic grievances, protest leaders also highlighted the dire lack of basic amenities in Gwadar. They pointed out the severe shortage of electricity and clean drinking water, calling it an injustice to the local population. “The residents of Gwadar have been deprived of essential services for far too long. This is a matter of basic human rights,” said another protest leader.

The protests were further fueled by reports of oil trade vehicles being halted at the Talar checkpoint. Local traders have said that their vehicles were stopped, leaving them stranded for weeks. The restrictions on trade have exacerbated the already dire economic situation, causing immense hardship for the people of Gwadar.

The Paki establishment’s inability to address these issues reflects a deeper pattern of neglect towards the Baloch people. The establishment has caused Baloch discontent, including economic marginalization, lack of infrastructure, and political disenfranchisement. The ongoing protests serve as a stark reminder of the growing unrest in Balochistan, where issues of economic injustice, political alienation, and human rights violations continue to simmer.