In Remote Pakistan Province, a Civil War Festers

NY Times ^ | April 2, 2006 | CARLOTTA GALL

[neverdem]

DERA BUGTI, Pakistan — Explosions at gas pipelines and railroad tracks are common in this remote desert region. Now, roadside bombs and artillery shells are, too. More than 100 civilians have been killed in recent months, along with dozens of government security forces, local residents and Pakistan's Human Rights Commission say.

This is the other front of Pakistan's widening civil unrest, not the tribal areas along the Afghan border where the United States would like the government to press a campaign against Islamic militants, but the restive province of Baluchistan, home to an intensifying insurgency.

It is here, say local leaders and opposition politicians, that Pakistan, an important ally in the United States' campaign against terrorism, has diverted troops from the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban to settle old scores as it seeks to develop the region's valuable oil and gas reserves.

One visit makes it clear that, despite official denials, the government is waging a full-scale military campaign here. Rebel leaders say they have several thousand men under arms, fighting what they estimate are 23,000 Pakistani troops.

During a 24-hour trek on camel, horse and foot across the rugged, stony terrain in early March, the fighting was plain to see. Military jets and surveillance planes flew over the area, and long-range artillery lighted up the distant night sky.

This fight is altogether separate from the Taliban insurgency on Afghanistan's border or the Shiite-Sunni violence that sporadically flares in and around the provincial capital, Quetta, and it threatens to dwarf the nation's other conflicts.

It is about the ethnic rights and self-rule of the Baluch people, who are distinct among Pakistanis. They speak their own language, Baluchi, which has its roots in Persian, and are probably the oldest settlers in the region.

[neverdem]

This popped up on the front page tonight after the Times had a malfunction. The article was already archived, so you can't add ?pagewanted=print to the basic URL, i.e. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/world/asia/02pakistan.html , but that suffix, ?ex=1145592000&en=95d10cbfd554e904&ei=5070 , added onto that URL gives you free access, the pics and the map.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/world/asia/02pakistan.html?ex=1145592000&en=95d10cbfd554e904&ei=5070

[GOPJ]

Pakistan -- the last place in the world anyone wants a civil war to happen...

[WestVirginiaRebel]

The Times had a malfunction the minute they became a liberal paper...

[neverdem]

The Times had a malfunction the minute they became a liberal paper...

Anyone can make jokes about it being a liberal rag, but how many other papers give you these types of stories on foreign affairs?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

For a change, I'd like to see the NY Slimes focus on the current civil war in Los Angeles and other parts of the United States which are being invaded by illegal immigrants.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Pakistan's Costly 'Other War'

The Balochis have all the natural gas and the first part of the Chinese Road out of Gwadar. The Sunni Balochis are also fighting the Iranians.

[Strategerist]

For a change, I'd like to see the NY Slimes focus on the current civil war in Los Angeles and other parts of the United States which are being invaded by illegal immigrants.

There should be some sort of contest to see who can best derail the most completely unrelated thread into illegal immigration.

I haven't made up my mind whether it's more or less annoying and idiotic than the people that think they're clever and funny posting "Bush's Fault" replies.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link!

[Racehorse]

In Remote Pakistan Province, a Civil War Festers

Armed resistance by Baluch nationalists has been a repeating occurrence since the birth of Pakistan in 1947, when tribal leaders, Mr. Bugti among them, only grudgingly joined Pakistan after having ruled independent territories under the British.

Why do you suppose they call it the tribal area?   I'm shocked.   And before India gave birth to Pakistan, in-between fighting and massacring the British, they fought and massacred each other.  It's a tribal thing.  So, what's new?  ;-)

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

You are free to be more concerned about Pakistan all you want, while I will remain more concerned about the United states of America. Have a nice day, "Thread Officer". Feh.

[claudiustg]

Fighting in Baluchistan? Who could have imagined such a thing? :^)

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

BTW, let me know when you have made up you simple mind.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

All threads must be hijacked. So sayeth the border troll collective. And if you aren't as ate up with BDS as they are then you are Bushbot scum. 448 posts devoted to that recently.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

yw

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Sorry folks. I didn't realize that this was such a sensitive issue for you. I hope the swelling goes down soon, and that your lives can get back to normal (whatever that is).

[Berlin_Freeper]

Haha good one.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Let's see...

Pakistan is at constant hostilities with India, created the Taliban, is home base to Al Qaeda and there is a steady stream of news reports of homicide bombings.

And now, they are killing each other in Baluchistan.

Sounds like the whole country is a front runner for the Nobel Peace Prize. And yes when the place falls apart it will be "Bush's Fault". This NYSlimes article is already pointing it in that direction in regards to the War on Terror. How many Pakistan troops "are being diverted" because they are needed to face off against India? Why doesn't the NYSlimes have a number for that?

[neverdem]

Would you prefer that the Slimes just ignore the story? What do you propose?

[Berlin_Freeper]

Honestly, I don't go to the NYSlimes because they have nothing but a political axe to grind, just like I pointed out with this story.

There are other news sources in the world. I saw this being reported about elsewhere, yet this is the only item I have seen that attempts to point this struggle in the direction of the WH.

You are free to post NYSlimes articles as "news" all you like, just don't be so surprised when we trash the trashers.

[neverdem]

There are other news sources in the world. I saw this being reported about elsewhere, yet this is the only item I have seen that attempts to point this struggle in the direction of the WH.

How does the article "point this struggle in the direction of the WH"? Pakistan was an ally during the Cold War, and on again, off again, i.e. under sanctions, on again depending - since Sep 9, 2001.