Contributions of Marri Tribe to Baloch Liberation Movement

By: Qaazi Baloch

Balochistan – the land of Baloch is located in South East Asia. No doubt like other nations in the world Baloch nation is also a combination of different tribes. Like other nations of Asia, the Baloch were also made slave by the European powers in the era of colonialism. But it is recorded in the pages of history that Baloch has never allowed their enemies to be successful and defended their motherland with the ultimate price of their lives.

Like other tribes of Balochistan, the Marri tribe also made their contributions for the same cause. Marri tribe of the Baloch nation has been scarifying their lives for the cause of Baloch i.e. for the independence of Balochistan since the very early age of Baloch history. When the Baloch were under controlled of British Empires several people from the same tribe lost their lives fighting the British troops in defence of the motherland. The battles between Marri Baloch and British army are well recorded in history books.

With the passage of time, the British Empire conceded its defeat and withdrew from subcontinent and Balochistan. Due to the separation of subcontinent two states came to existence namely India and Pakistan. Pakistan subjugated Balochistan after some months of its independence from British Empires on 27th March 1948. Since that day Baloch are fighting against Pakistani illegal occupation or subjugation. Like other Baloch Marri tribe also started resistance from the same day when Balochistan was subjugated.

The Marri Baloch have become famous for defeating Pakistan in every arena of war and politics. The fear of Marri Baloch people witnessed in Balochistan that Pakistan army is very scared of them. It is said that a Pakistani army official told a Baloch prisoner, ‘where there is a Marri there is a problem.’ Previously a British army saying has also become famous about Marri Baloch, ‘more Marri more problem, less Marri less problem and no Marri no problem.’

It was the commitment and steadfastness of the Marri tribe that the British and its successor Pakistan’s Punjabi army failed to extract and exploit Balochistan’s natural resources from Kohistan Marri region. Since the era of dictator Parvez Musharraf, the Pakistan army once again has been trying to take control of resources rich Kahan region of district Kohlu Balochistan but the strong resistance of the Baloch Liberation Army have shattered their all dream of becoming rich at the cost of Baloch lives.

On 3rd June 2018, when we heard the news of Pakistan’s increased activities in Kahan’s Sohrod area, we assured ourselves that the army will face a fierce resistance and will be defeated. The battle of Sohrod in Kahan proves that Baloch freedom fighters have the upper hand and Pakistan’s dream of exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources to develop Punjab may never come true. The fighters of Baloch Liberation Army killed seven Pakistani soldiers in Sohrod and wounded several others while three Baloch fighters – a father and his two sons also lost their lives while defending innocent Baloch against Pakistan’s barbaric army. These fighters belong to Marri tribe who have later been named as Kaheeri Marri and his two sons Tufail and Najeeb Marri.

Few days after the battle of Sohrod BLA fighters attack a convoy of Pakistan army in Kahan’s Shameni area destroying one vehicle of the army and killing all personnel on board. As the ground forces retreated, the army used helicopters to get their wounded soldiers and the dead bodies of those killed by Baloch fighters. The strategically well planned BLA fighters then targeted and damaged the helicopter of Pakistan army near Sibbi when it was en-route to Quetta – the chopper could not make it to Quetta military base and crashed on the outskirt of Quetta. The BLA accepted the responsibility for bringing down the military helicopter. The military’s own media wing spokesperson also accepted the fact that the crashed helicopter was transferring the wounded Pakistani soldiers from Kohlu to Quetta.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is mother organization of Baloch liberation movement and is well respected in the Baloch nation because of its clear vision, strict discipline and its policies are aligned with the Baloch national interest. BLA draws its strength from the Baloch masses. BLA has never compromised on its organisational rules and regulations.

Recently, when some members including two area commanders of the organisation broke the rules and tried to bring anarchy in the organisation, they were suspended and it was made clear to the Baloch nation that no one is superior to the rules of the organization and all are treated equally in this organization. The national liberation struggle cannot be won by mere photo sessions and show off.  Beside this, BLA always strived to support other fellow pro-freedom groups and tried to unite the Baloch and use their collective power and energy against the national enemies of the Baloch nation.  BLA constituted a committee and coordinate with other organisations for joint work and for greater unity later. But, because BLA’s vision is clear, its principles are strict and it refuses to become proxy of foreign powers that’s why other organisations – some of whom have a soft corner for Iran – made different excuses and so far refrained from forming an alliance with BLA.

Pakistan fears BLA more than other organisation because of its strict policies and wise strategies. The enemy knows that BLA makes its policies that are in the national interest of Balochistan and Baloch nation. Also, it has conducted huge and successful attacks against Pakistani forces in Chamalang, Bolan and Ziarat [where they attacked and destroyed Ziarat Jinnah’s residency]. Likewise, the Baloch Liberation Army has attacked an airport in Pasni region of Gwadar district in Balochistan and destroyed the radar system which was being used by Pakistan Navy. It was also BLA that attack the notorious religious terrorist and state-backed criminal Shafique Mengal in Quetta, and ISI and military other collaborators like Sanaullah Zehri, Siraj Raisani heads of death squads. Instead of attacking common people BLA targeted the top brass of MI and ISI granger members. On several occasion, BLA condemned attacks against unarmed labourers by other groups which prove BLA adheres to the International Laws and UN conventions.

A recently martyred senior commander of BLA, Kaheeri Marri, has reportedly been a member of the organisation and a Baloch freedom fighter since 1995 but he had hardly ever taken his pictures and posted them on social media because the BLA fighters focus on their cause instead of taking selfies or showing off.  Before martyrdom, nobody knew Kaheeri Marri except members of his organisation but now with his great sacrifice, he made himself known to the Baloch nation and beyond. One of Kaheeri Marri’s sons, Daryhan Marri, was martyred in a battle against Pakistani forces in Chamalang district Kohlu whereas two of his sons were martyred along with him in Sohrod area of Kahan Balochistan.

They are the ones who unconditionally loved their motherland Balochistan more than everything even more than their families. A writer in one of his articles argued that when their families were abducted and detained by the Pakistani Army. The army later agreed to release them if Kaheeri and his sons surrender in front before Pakistan army. Shaheed Kaheeri Marri and his sons rejected the demand of Army and continued fighting till their martyrdom. It is the love of motherland beyond imagination that an entire family preferred to die for a peaceful independent Balochistan which can contribute to peace and security in this region especially in Afghanistan and India both victims of terrorism by Pakistani Taliban and other militant terrorist groups. They are the ones who are and will be alive in the heart of every Baloch forever. They are the ones who want to sustain unity within the nation rather than propagating against each other.

The Baloch nation always remembers the martyrs of Sohrod and all those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for the better future of the coming Baloch generations. Baloch nation with hope and expectations strongly believe that the brave sons of soil be that from Marri tribe or any other Baloch from other parts of Balochistan will continue to strive against the occupying state of Iran and Pakistan till the independent of Balochistan.