The National Assembly was told on Monday that anti-Pakistan terror outfits are regrouping in Balochistan via the Iranian province of Sistan and Balochistan. The information was provided in response to a query posed by a PPP MNA from Sindh. Any uptick in terrorist activity in Balochistan would naturally worry people in the neighbouring provinces. Acts of terrorism by Baloch insurgent groups have already increased. Early this year one of these groups claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack in Lahore also. Instead of the earlier hit and run methods, the insurgent groups have lately launched gun-and-bomb suicide attacks on FC camps in Panjgur and Nushki districts. Since January this year, different Baloch groups have reportedly carried out at least 17 attacks, including 10 against security forces. The attacks took 51 lives and injured 97 people. As there are no signs of the insurgency coming under control through use of force there is a need to re-evaluate the strategy, giving more importance to a political resolution of the problem.
The Iranian province of Sistan and Balochistan bordering both Afghanistan and Pakistan has long been used by hostile countries to detabilise the post revolution Iran. Foreign powers have played the sectarian card, using extremist networks like Jundullah and Jaish al-Adl for terrorist attacks inside Iran. Pakistani Baloch terrorist and separatist groups have allied with Iranian Baloch terrorist groups to enable both to cross over to the other side of the border after launching terrorist attacks. Border patrols from both countries too have come under attack in sporadic skirmishes. Recently there have been reports of Baloch terrorists crossing over to sanctuaries in Sistan-Balochistan after attacks in Pakistan.
There is a need on the part of both Pakistan and Iran to deny space to these terrorist groups. Last year Iran’s chief of armed forces Maj Gen Mohammed Bagheri was in Pakistan for three days to discuss matters of mutual interest. Last month Iranian Interior Minister Dr Ahmad Vahidi visited Islamabad and Rawalpindi to discuss these issues with Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. That anti-Pakistan terror outfits are still regrouping in Balochistan via the Iranian province of Sistan and Balochistan indicates there is something missing in  such mutual consultations.
