Historical Context and Evolution

 The article skillfully traces the insurgency through five distinct phases since Pakistan's creation, revealing how today's conflict represents the culmination of decades of grievances rather than merely a reaction to recent events. Particularly valuable is the authors' examination of how political confrontations in the early 2000s and the issue of enforced disappearances created fertile ground for militant recruitment. This historical framing avoids simplistic narratives and demonstrates how contemporary Baloch militancy emerged from longstanding patterns of marginalization and exploitation.

Organizational Dynamics and Factionalism

The authors' analysis of the pivotal split within the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in 2017—leading to the formation of BLA-Jeeyand (BLA-J) and BLA-Azad (BLA-A) factions—provides insight into how internal dynamics have shaped operational capabilities. The formation of the Baloch Raaji Aajohi Sangar (BRAS) alliance in 2018 emerges as a watershed moment that has enabled unprecedented coordination among militant factions, allowing for large-scale, synchronized attacks across Balochistan.

Tactical Evolution and Operational Sophistication

The authors meticulously track how the conflict has progressed from isolated guerrilla attacks to sophisticated operations involving hundreds of fighters capable of temporarily seizing territory. Operations like "Dara-e-Bolan" and "Herof" reflect an insurgency no longer content with hit-and-run tactics but increasingly focused on demonstrating conventional military capabilities. The introduction of female suicide bombers since 2022 represents another significant tactical innovation that has both practical and symbolic dimensions.

The CPEC Factor and Anti-China Campaign 

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) emerges as a critical factor exacerbating the insurgency. Through analysis of militant statements and attack patterns, the authors persuasively demonstrate that Baloch militants view Chinese investments as extensions of Pakistani exploitation, making Chinese nationals and infrastructure prime targets.

Regional Security Implications

The authors highlight the regional dimensions of the conflict, spanning Pakistan, Iran, and potentially Afghanistan. The January 2024 cross-border strikes between Iran and Pakistan illustrate how the insurgency threatens regional stability and could create security vacuums exploitable by groups like Islamic State Khorasan.

The article concludes with a persuasive argument that military responses alone cannot resolve this conflict. Drawing on their analysis of militant capabilities and motivations, the authors make a case for a multifaceted approach that addresses the political, economic, social, and humanitarian factors driving the insurgency. Their recommendation that counterterrorism measures should be confined to security issues while the Pakistani government adopts a political strategy toward humanitarian concerns offers a pragmatic path forward.