# Persistence of force in Balochistan

> Balochistan's insurgency worsens as Pakistan relies on force without addressing political roots.
- Title: Persistence of force in Balochistan · Dawn | Shortify
- Summary: Balochistan's insurgency worsens as Pakistan relies on force without addressing political roots. Pakistan's use of force in Balochistan fails to resolve the…
- Keywords: balochistan, pakistan, insurgency, counterinsurgency, political solutions, military response, foreign intelligence, local grievances, news, politics, Persistence, force
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2037516/persistence-of-force
- Author: Tariq Parvez
- Published: 2026-10-16T02:38:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: balochistan, pakistan, insurgency, counterinsurgency, political solutions, military response, foreign intelligence, local grievances, news, politics
## Balochistan insurgency intensifies
Balochistan became Pakistan's most violent province in July 2026 with 176 terrorist attacks killing 438 people including 127 security personnel.

> 176 terrorist attacks, killing 438 people, including 127 security personnel
## Military vs political approaches
The state uses military force while Baloch political leaders demand political solutions for the insurgency.
## Historical context of Baloch insurgency
The first four waves of Baloch insurgency were triggered by local issues: 1948 annexation of Kalat, 1958 One Unit, 1962-69 centralization, and 1973-77 dismissal of NAP government.
## Current insurgency wave
The current Baloch insurgency has persisted for over 20 years requiring local recruits, leadership, and support networks.
## COIN strategy failure
Pakistan's counterinsurgency strategy focuses on force without addressing political dimensions that sustain the insurgency.
## Pur Aman initiative
Pur Aman Balochistan was launched in 2015 but abandoned after Dr Malik's tenure ended the same year.
## External vs internal threats
The state frames the insurgency as foreign-sponsored while Baloch leaders see it as local political grievances.
## Clausewitz's warning
Clausewitz states that the kind of war being fought in Balochistan determines whether it resolves or becomes a 'forever insurgency'.

> The most far-reaching act of judgement that any commander has to make is to establish … the kind of war on which they are embarking.
## Key takeaway

Pakistan's use of force in Balochistan fails to resolve the insurgency due to ignoring local grievances and political solutions.