Hybrid Warfare in Balochistan

Abstract

This research is an introspection of the problems/vulnerabilities of Balochistan within the context of Pakistan‟s security. This has been executed by collecting data from the Baloch students and Baloch people in general. The „relative perceived deprivation‟ (RPD) of the people of Balochistan has been examined by conducting 150 questionnaires from the Baloch population. This empirical data (both primary and secondary) has helped understand how an environment has been created for hybrid warfare to exploit the vulnerabilities of Balochistan. This has been done by fanning unrest among a disaffected segment of the population, supporting an insurgency among those willing to take up arms, and creating a wedge between the people and the government through psychological operations. The research has established a connection between the unrest in Balochistan and how it has been used to wage hybrid warfare in this geo-strategically important and resource-rich but poor province. The research concludes that problems existing in Balochistan have been exploited by the foreign hostile agencies to disrupt peace in Balochistan, sabotage China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and destabilise Pakistan.