Iran-Pakistan Conflict-2024

Context

Pakistan has launched missile strikes into Iran under Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar (Death to Insurgents), following Iran’s missile strikes in Pakistan.

Where is Balochistan?

   Balochistan is a region with a distinct cultural and historical identity, divided between three countries: Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

   The region takes its name from the Baloch tribe.

   It is arid, and the country’s least inhabited and least economically developed region.

Issues of Balochistan

   Economic issues:

The people of Balochistan had long felt their region was neglected in terms of development and political representation, fuelling resentment towards the ruling establishment.

   Political issues:

In Pakistan, the Baloch are an ethnic minority physically and politically distant from the Punjabi-dominated regime and also in Iran, the majority-Sunni

 Baloch are a religious minority who have been persecuted by the state.

Demand for separate state:

Their marginalization in both countries in subsequent years fuelled several separatist movements for a “Greater Balochistan” nation state.

Militant groups involved

-Jaish Al-Adl (JAA):

The Sunni separatist militant group operates freely from Balochistan and is fighting for independence in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province.

-Baloch Liberation Front / Baloch Liberation Army:

Both are Iran-based hideouts of two Baloch militant groups deemed as “terrorist organizations” by Pakistan.

Relations Between Iran and Pakistan

Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, both countries were firmly allied to the United States.

 An ultra-conservative Shiite regime gained power in Iran and Sunni -majority in Pakistan hence the two countries found themselves at opposite ends of the sectarian divide.

   The Baloch militant insurgency has been a long-running source of tensions between Pakistan and Iran. Both the nations often accused each other of harboring separatist terrorists.

India’s Stakes in the region

India has stayed neutral in the conflicts within the Middle East.

The fragility of the Baloch frontier, China’s presence in Balochistan along with its growing role in the Gulf are of deep concern to India.

India has invested in Chabahar port lying the Makran coast of Sistan and Baluchistan Province is of concern for India