27 March 1948 – Balochistan’s occupation day

Since the occupation of sovereign state of Balochistan in 1948 the Baloch has been observing the 27 March as a Black day. On this day in 1948 Pakistan attacked and forcefully annexed the Baloch country at gunpoint. Soon after the forcible merger Baloch resistant movement started under the leadership of Agha Abdul Kareem Khan, who was the younger brother of the ruler of Balochistan. Hence, from 27 March onward the conflict between Balochistan and Pakistan has started.

Baloch have fought at least five major wars in their attempts to regain their sovereignty but Pakistan with the help of Iran and to some extent the West has quelled the five Baloch insurgencies. The lack of unity between Baloch freedom seeking forces also played a major role in setbacks in Baloch resistance movements. However, the Baloch quest for freedom has not ended and after each set back they have continued to reorganise themselves and resist the occupation with all available resources and means.

Pakistan conducted five major military offensives on the occasion of 1948, 1958, 1963, 1973 and the latest phase started in January 2000 when the military dictator retired General Prevez Musharraf declared war against Baloch people. This last phase has been the most brutal after 1973 and the Baloch also consider this phase as the most crucial for their survival.

Thousands of Baloch were killed and abducted during each military operation since 1948 and their houses and livestock were destroyed by the Pakistani forces. According to Voice for Baloch Missing Persons at least 19000 Baloch activists including highly educated Baloch men and women have been abducted since the beginning of this last phase of liberation struggle. VBMP also says that more than 1600 abducted Baloch have been killed under-custody by Pakistan forces and further 1200 best cadres of Baloch including university professors, students, lawyers, poets, singers and human rights and social activists have been target killed by Pakistan military and their hired criminal gangs.

As usual this year also Baloch nation is preparing to organise shutter down protests and rallies across Balochistan and abroad to mark the 27 March as a black day. The Baloch Salvation Front – a coalition of at least three pro-freedom Baloch parties has given the call for a shutter down protest in Balochistan on that day. The Baloch National Voice seconded the call of the BSF and requested the Baloch day to support the protest and observe 27 March as a Black Day by hoisting black flags on their houses and tying black arm bands.

In a recent statement Baloch patriot leader Hyrbyair Marri has also called upon the entire Baloch Nation to observe March 27th as a Black Day and organize Shutter-Down protests. He said: “not only Baloch nation should protest on 27 March 2014 but they should also make it clear to the occupying state that they will never accept this illegal relation and will continue to struggle for sovereignty and independence.”

On international level the Baloch Community in London, England, will be holding a protest in front of the British Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street on March 27th from 2pm until 4pm GMT. The protest will be highlighting the ongoing military operations in Balochistan as well as the severe human rights violations, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killing & dumping of Baloch activists. Baloch activists in North Korea are also reportedly preparing to organise a protest on 27 March to condemn the illegal occupation of Balochistan and to highlight human rights violations against Baloch people.

It is time for Baloch leadership and the Baloch people living in Balochistan and abroad to make every effort to expose the Pakistan state crimes against humanity and state atrocities against Baloch people. Every Baloch who lives abroad must play the role of an ambassador and lobby to regain the lost sovereignty of Balochistan. Pakistan and Iran are two occupying state and shall be forced to withdraw unconditionally and immediately from occupied Balochistan.