Balochistan continues to cry over six decades of deprivation. The operation that started in 2005 in Dera Bugti spread to Kohlu, Barkhan, Kharan and Noshki. In 2006 the tragic incident of the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti took place. This tragic incident fanned the flames of hatred and gave impetus to the resistance movement in the province. In spite of the government claims of doing away with the ferrari camps the resistance movement continued in Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Noshki, Turbat, Makran, Barkhan and other areas. The movement in Balochistan was allegedly under the command of Nawabzada Balach Marri and Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti’s grandson Barahamdagh Bugti though there were many other small resistance groups that surfaced as well.
These groups included Baloch Republican Army, Jhalawan Tiger Force and Baloch Armed Resistance Movement. People of Balochistan went through a wave of pain the day news of Balach Marri’s death appeared. Conflicting news of the death of the leader remained in the air.
Spokesperson of Baloch Liberation Army Buerukh Baloch in his conversation with Pulse from an undisclosed location confirmed the death of former member provincial assembly Nawabzada Balach Marri. The spokesperson told that Balach Marri died in an attack by security forces on the night of November 20. The spokesperson declined to inform about the place of death and about Balach Marri’s fellows.
Official sources on the first day didn’t endorse or decline any news about the incident. Numerous electronic channels aired the news that Nawabzada Balach Marri has been killed by Nato forces on the doubts of he being from Taliban on a tip off from the opposite group of the Baloch Liberation Army. Some circles claimed that Balach Marri was killed near Afghan city of Kabul in a clash with security forces. Whereas various circles claim that Nawabzada Balach Marri was killed in a clash with security personnel near border area of Sarlath in District Noshki. There also news that Nawabzada was killed in a NATO attack at Garam Sail near Helmand, Afghanistan. The Garam Sail area has been under the control of Taliban for a long time and operation against Taliban is on. When the Nato forces attacked the area Nawabzada Balach was killed in it. The official sources are neither confirming nor rejecting any such happening.
Circles close to Nawabzada Balach Marri and his brother Gazeen Marri have confirmed the killing his killing in security forces attack. Scores of people came out on streets to mourn the death of Balach Marri soon after the news went in the air.
Another rumor regarding the killing of Balach Marri was done away with the interview of Nawab Khair Baksh Marri. In an interview to a British broadcasting institution Khair Baksh Marri said, “Nawab Akbar Bugti’s grandson cannot remove own eyes.” He refused to take part in the last rituals until he sees the dead body through his own eyes. Nawab Khair Baskh Marri’s interview played an important role in controlling the reaction Balochistan. Though at official level Barhamdagh Bugti was held responsible.
In an exclusive conversation with Pulse Barhamdagh Bugti strongly condemned the incident. He said that Nawabzada Balach Marri’s death occurred in Pakistan and that the Pakistani security forces carried out the operation. Bugti said that Balach was more than a brother to him. In a week after the death of Balach Marri government installations, property and security forces personnel were especially targeted. As a reaction there was an increase in police target killing. So far dozens of police personnel have been targeted and this continues. There is an increase in bomb blasts in Quetta in addition to rocket fire and use of hand grenades. Under the prevailing circumstances all official claims of establishing the writ of the government seem hollow.
