Fighter Jets Used in Balochistan
A very short story, lacking in detail, but which can be read between the lines. If the Pakistani military - ie. the government - is admitting to using the air force in the Balochistan conflict, there's only a few things it could mean:
1. Fighting is escalating and the military is finding it harder and harder to handle through conventional means
2. A major crackdown is on, aimed at stamping out the insurgency once and for all
The trouble with using air power in a guerrilla war, as the Israelis are finding out in Lebanon, and the Americans should have realised in Vietnam, let alone Iraq, is that it doesn't really work. Airstrikes, even with 'surgical precision weapons', generally tend to kill and injure civilians and non-combatants as well as fighters creating a severe loss of hearts and minds.
The bomb has yet to be invented that differentiates between legitimate targets and innocent victims - even the Geneva conventions are unclear on this. The only thing the Pakistani military will achieve will be to anger the Baloch further and invite international condemnation.
In other news, the Government of Balochistan website claims that senior figure Senator Sanaullah Baloch was recently attacked in London, though the lack of mainstream media confirmation casts this into some mystery.
See also Peace Like a River's extensive take on things.
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Update: Received an e-mail from another source via the Govt of Balochistan website, reading the following:
Today 16 July 2006 in “Third World Solidarity” seminar Pakistani embassy sent it’s Punjabi ISI Terrorist to attack senator Sanaullah Baloch while he finished his speech in seminar, he been attacked by a gas which was in a glass bottle which explode on his body as this gas can destroy his face and specially his eyes but thank god as well Baloch activist who save his life by this gas which throw on him by these Punjabi ISI Terrorist in seminar. They even throw eggs, tomatoes on Sanaullah Baloch and Dr. Isaq Baloch as well other Baloch politician. One of prominent Baloch political activist Waja Walid Garboni been attacked by Punjabi terrorist while he was protecting Baloch leaders by these terrorists and Waja Walid been seriously injured in this sham less attack and he been given primary medical add on spot and later he been moved in hospital where after 5 hours treatment he is recovering well and now at his home.
Though this sounds more like an impromptu attack by diaspora Pakistani nationalists, it at least goes to show the strength of feeling on the issue.
Fighter jets used in Balochistan
The Pakistani Air Force chief has acknowledged that fighter jets have been used in Balochistan province against tribal rebels and militants.
Air Chief Tanwir Mahmood Ahmed told a news conference that the air force would continue to be used whenever and wherever the government desired.
Tribal leaders have claimed that in the past few months civilians have been targeted by the air force.
But the government had always rejected such claims in the past.
Gas-rich Balochistan has seen months of violence as tribal groups push for greater political and economic rights.
Security forces stepped up their crackdown on the militants following a failed assassination attempt on President Pervez Musharraf during a visit to the province in December.
Rebel tribesmen have been accused of attacking officials and government buildings as well as blowing up gas pipelines in the province, Pakistan's biggest and poorest.
The government is pumping millions of dollars into Balochistan with the aim of turning it into a regional economic and energy hub.
It has also been building military garrisons to secure the investments, which officials say will bring development to the people.
But many Baloch resent the growing presence of the armed forces - seen as imposing Islamabad's agenda - and support for the tribal rebels is growing, correspondents say.
