Pakistan Reader# 729, 21 March 2024
D. Suba Chandran
In Focus
What happened?
On 20 March, eight armed fighters tried to attack the Gwadar Port Authority Complex, as per the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR also confirmed that Pakistani troops “employed for security responded immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists.” Makran Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani explained that security forces were engaged in two hours of fighting with the attackers. The “armed terrorists carried out several blasts using grenades” and then used automatic weapons for firing, attacking “the complex from three sides.” The exchange of fire led to two soldiers and eight terrorists being killed. Al Jazeera quoted a local eyewitness, who stated: “First there were two major explosions, which were followed by loud, long bursts of firing which continued for more than hour.”
Where did it happen?
The attack took place in Gwadar, a port city located in Balochistan. Gwadar port is a centrepiece of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), where development projects funded by China are underway. It is also considered to be a link between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Maritime Silk Projects. The complex houses multiple important government offices, including intelligence and security forces, as well as a residential colony.
Who is behind the attack?
The attack was claimed by Majeed Brigade, the armed wing of the separatist group, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). In a statement, the group said it had targeted offices of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies inside the complex, and added: “BLA accepts responsibility for the attack and further details will be released to the media.” The group is one of the most prominent Baloch secessionist groups, which earlier wanted a share of provincial resources but later began demanding for complete independence of Balochistan from Pakistan.
The Majeed Brigade was formed in 2011 and is a lethal guerilla cell of the BLA with a reported presence in Afghanistan and India. There are also allegations that the group has sanctuaries along the Pakistan-Iran border. The brigade has earlier targeted security forces and Chinese interests in Pakistan, and carried out several attacks in 2022, including the suicide attack outside the Karachi University’s Confucius Institute, and attacks on military camps in Naushki and Panjgut in Balochistan.
What has been the immediate response?
The attack elicited multiple strong criticisms. The ISPR emphasized that Pakistan’s security forces, “in step with the nation remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace and stability of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the “brave and timely action” of the security forces in “thwarting the attack,” and vowed to foil “all internal and external conspiracies against Pakistan” with the help of the people. He also noted that groups trying to target peace in Gwadar and Balochistan had the aim of interrupting the process for Pakistan’s economic prosperity.
The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, expressed gratitude to “all law enforcement bravehearts who fought bravely” for Pakistan. He went on to say: “The message is loud & clear. Whosoever chooses to use violence will see no mercy from the state.” Bugti also confirmed that the militants had all been “neutralized by security forces.” The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, also “strongly condemned” the attack and congratulated security forces.
What is the strategic importance and demography of Gwadar?
The Gwadar port is said to be the “flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).” According to the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), the Gwadar Port is a deep-sea port of Pakistan, and is located at the “mouth of Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and holds 2/3 world oil reserves.” In 1958, Pakistan bought the port from Oman for USD three million. In 2007, the former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, inaugurated the port. Though it initially remained under the control of Port Singapore Authority (PSA), due to its weak performance, the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) began presiding over the port in 2013. IPRI added that the port serves as an international shipping and oil trade route and is to have the potential to act as an “international trade hub” for Pakistan. Furthermore, the port would be a connecting point for Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. According to The Express Tribune, China, the Middle East, North Africa and Western countries will benefit from Gwadar port as it serves as a “gateway of rapid growth.” Additionally, as per the findings of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilisation Research and Development, “Gwadar will offer opportunities to Pakistan to attract foreign direct investment.”
The population of Gwadar predominantly consists of Balochs. According to the 2023 population census conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Gwadar has about 305,160 people and an area of 12,637 square kilometers.
What were the previous attacks in the region?
On 3 November 2023, the ISPR reported that 14 Pakistan Army soldiers were killed by the terrorists in Balochistan.
On 4 August 2023, the ISPR stated that security forces had killed two terrorists as they attacked a military personnel who was escorting the Chinese workers to the Gwadar port. The attack was claimed by the Majid Brigade
References
Behram Baloch & Saleem Shahid, “Terror attack on Gwadar port complex thwarted,” Dawn, 21 March 2024;
Ismail Sasoli, Tahir Khan & Iftikhar Shirazi, “2 soldiers martyred, 8 terrorists killed in attack on Gwadar Port Authority complex: ISPR,” Dawn, 20 March 2024;
Abid Hussain, “Pakistan’s Gwadar port attacked, eight armed fighters killed,” Al Jazeera, 20 March 2024;
“Security forces foil attack on Gwadar complex, kill 8 terrorists,” The Express Tribune, 20 March 2024;
Behram Baloch and Saleem Shahid, “Two terrorists killed during attack on army convoy in Gwadar,” Dawn, 14 August 2023;
Iftikhar Shirazi, “14 soldiers martyred as militants ambush security forces’ vehicles in Gwadar: ISPR,” Dawn, 3 November 2023;
Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, “Gwadar gateway of rapid growth,” The Express Tribune, 12 July 2021;
Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, “Gwadar question,” The News International, 31 July 2021;
“Significance of Gwadar port,” Islamabad Policy Research Institute, 20 August 2015
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