9 May 2020

The Balochistan Insurgency: A major security issue for Pakistan and its impact on Chinese interests in the region

By Melvin Dionnet
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Between economic interests, socio-political issues, and ethnic tensions, Balochistan has been a region subject to insecurity for more than 60 years, where insurgencies are continuous and in which a myriad of actors have diverging and often conflicting interests.

On January 10, 2020, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at a mosque in Quetta, Balochistan’s capital, killing at least 13 people and wounding 20 others. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack.

The situation in the region showed no sign of improvement in these past months and the increase in the Islamic State’s activity in the region throughout 2019 suggests that the circumstances might deteriorate further. On the other hand, China who has a strong presence in the region might act as a middle-man between Islamabad and Baloch insurgents, and help resolve the situation even though Chinese presence could also contribute to making things worse.

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