Pakistan has decided to launch a new military operation against separatist groups in its southwestern province of Balochistan. The region is an important focus of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, it is not yet clear whether this operation will be conducted jointly with China. British news agency Reuters reported this.
After a series of deadly attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan recently, Beijing has demanded that security measures be strengthened to protect them. On Tuesday (November 19), China said it is planning a joint anti-terrorism exercise with Pakistan.
Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the operation was approved by a meeting of military and civilian leaders led by Shehbaz Sharif.
However, the statement did not elaborate on the nature of the operation. It is still unknown whether the operation will be entirely ground-based or will involve the Air Force. Besides, no information has been released on whether attacks on Chinese citizens and Beijing's concerns played a role behind the operation.
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Military also did not comment on this.
Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, has long been a hotbed of activities for armed groups. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the most active group in the region, which continues to attack the military and Chinese citizens. Last month, two Chinese engineers were killed in a suicide attack outside Karachi's international airport. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.
Balochistan is home to the Chinese-funded Gwadwar Port, which is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This $65 billion investment project under Chinese President Xi Jinping's BRI is an important strategic factor in China's expansion of global influence.
The Ministry of Defense of China has said that there is a plan to conduct a joint anti-terrorism exercise called Warrior Eight with Pakistan. The exercise, which will run from late November to mid-December, will see both sides train in real-life combat situations.
