Balochistan Martyr’s Day – A Day with Undying Importance and Relevance
“..It being immutable law that all revolutions that will succeed must being in blood, whatever may answer afterward.”
Great writer and humourist Mark Twain etches this truth in his literature, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. Truly so, this blood soaks through the skin in Baloch history and makes the Balochi Martyr’s Day, the thirteenth date of November, so important.
The Historical Background
Going back to the mid 18th century, the current Balochistan was called Kalat, a princely state, ruled by Mir Noor Naseer Khan I, between 1749 to 1794. Under his leadership, the Baloch tribes were united under a single banner, and he established a Baloch parliament functioning under a constitution based on Islamic Sharia and Baloch traditions. He earned the title “Wali,” meaning “a saint,” due to his efforts in creating a unified Baloch state. After that, his son, Mir Mahmud Khan I Ahmadzai ruled from 1794 to 1817. By the end of his rule, unrest in Kalat was imminent. Mahmud was a young ruler to ascend, whose rule was first controlled by Akkund Fateh Mohammed, who was the Prime minister. As Balochi people were not to entertain a non-Balochi ruler controlling the state, Mir Behram Khan contested for the same, creating an unrest.
This unrest had dire consequences, where the state had to take help from Afghan rulers and thereby had to give away precious pieces of Balochi land once united by Naseer. Along with the family feud inside the Ahmadzai family, the rule was set ablaze and a weak, shrunken, anarchous Kalat was left with now Barakzais in power – who overthrew Kalat’s ally Shah Shuja. Punjab was also a strong state under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.
Mehrab Khan’s Rise to Power
In such a tumultuous time, Mahmood’s crown was passed on to his son, Mir Mehrab Khan Ahmadzai II, who took up an aggressive approach to Balochi unison, which arguably go to extent of extermination of family members and various tribal chiefs who had created ruckus against the Khanate in his father’s reign. He sought to bring back the proud Balochistan of the late 18th century.
He overthrew the tribes with an intention to cut all matrimonial ties to power. The power that misused the incompetency of Mahmood and the Afghan alliance uncalled for. The British were already deep inside Balochistan by the time of his reign, posing as Indian horse traders (Baloch, D. F. ( 2018). Balochistan aur Bartanvi Muarikheen.Quetta: Balochi Academy.)
Siege of Kalat and Reasons
The British attacked Kalat as a response to the hostile attitude of the Khan towards them, despite a treaty. Sir Alexander Burnes, the Scottish officer who was sent to Central Asia as a part of the Great Game was en route to Shaal when Baloch forces attacked him and snatched the treaty papers signed by Khan himself. This has two probable reasons.
Mehrab Khan had overthrown Akkund Fateh Muhammad, who was more powerful than king, with ruling authority since 1794, the death of Khan’s grandfather. This made Fateh’s son, Mullah Mohammad Khan vengeful and he orchestrated the attack. On the other hand, a perspective can be easily understood for why the entire attack could be exactly what British people needed.
To win the Great Game against Russia, the puppet rulers needed to be installed, and headstrong and determined Mehrab Khan was not one to leave that space. He sought the restoration of the Sadozai dynasty, bringing Shah Shujah back to Afghan throne and also had made positive relations with Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. This was a grave threat as the First Afghan war was supposed to conclude with all the British setpieces sitting on the thrones.
Whatever the reason, they waged war, soaked Kalat in blood of treachery and Mir Mehrab Khan Ahmadzai II along with more than 400 of his associates embraced martyrdom. On 13th November, 1839 – he became the Lal Shaheed, or the Crimson Martyr.
Two tireless, bloodsoaked decades, to rebuild the state of Balochistan with its might and glory, still preyed upon by vile interest of traitors and the Great Game players. For further analysis, you can refer to this publication.
Remembrance and Relevance
The day is institutionalized through Balochistan Liberation Charter (BLC),in its Article 70:
“The date selected for national remembrance of the heroes of our liberation struggle and their ultimate sacrifice for regaining our independence will be on 13 of November. On this day in 1839 Mir Mehrab Khan and many of his soldiers lost their lives while defending Balochistan against the invading army of British Empire.”
What continued on the land of Balochistan and martyrdom its sovereignty claimed, was huge, and hence the day is still relevant and is remembered as a clarion call for the people who are fighting for its freedom.
Anglo Marri Wars (1840-1917)
After Khan’s death, the Anglo-Marri wars started, where the Marri tribe fought against the vile British expansionist policies in 1840, 1880 and 1917. These wars claimed lives like anything and the Marri people became immortal in the independence struggle of Balochistan.
Annexation by Pakistan (1948)
On August 11, 1947, Balochistan declared its independence from British rule just days before the partition of India and the formation of Pakistan. However, this independence was short-lived, as Pakistani forces invaded the region in March 1948, forcibly annexing Balochistan. The invasion began on March 26 with the capture of coastal areas such as Kech and Panjgur, and on March 27, the capital, Kalat, fell to Pakistani troops.
Although Khan Ahmad Yar Khan was pressured to sign the Kalat State Accession Treaty in Karachi, the annexation proceeded without his consent. Balochistan’s parliament had earlier rejected Pakistan’s offer to join the federation, choosing instead to remain an independent state. Pakistan claimed the annexation was based on Islamic unity, but Baloch leaders, including Prince Abdul Karim and Nawab Khair Buksh Marri, viewed it as an illegal occupation.
Mir Ghaus Bux Bizenjo, a member of the British Parliament, criticized the idea of merging Balochistan with Pakistan in the name of Islam, arguing that other Muslim nations like Afghanistan and Iran should also be included. The annexation sparked five major resistance movements, and the fight for Baloch self-determination has continued for over seven decades, with groups like the Baloch National Movement still advocating for independence or greater autonomy.
The Late 20th Century Revolts
The Baloch movement gained momentum during the tenure of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The Balochistan People’s Liberation Front (BPLF) and other groups began organizing against what they saw as exploitation and marginalization by the Pakistani government. The 1973 Constitution granted Balochistan a degree of autonomy, but this was not fully implemented, leading to continued unrest.
During the Musharraf era, the situation worsened with increased military operations and suppression of dissent. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) emerged as a prominent militant group, advocating for independence. The Soviet-Afghan War also had an impact, as some Baloch groups aligned with Afghan mujahideen for support against Pakistan.
The decade saw further intensification of the conflict. The Baloch National Movement (BNM) and other groups continued to demand greater autonomy or independence. The 1990s also witnessed several violent incidents, including attacks on government installations and security forces, as well as retaliatory crackdowns by the Pakistani military.
Assassination of Nawab Akbar Khan Bughti (2006)
A Jamestown Foundation article from September 7, 2006 speaks of the assassination. It says that on August 26, 2006, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, a prominent Baloch leader was killed by Pakistani forces during a fierce confrontation in the mountains.
Bugti, who had been leading an armed struggle for control over Balochistan’s vast natural resources estimated to include 26 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and six trillion barrels of oil – was tracked down after reportedly commanding military operations from his mountain hideout. His death sparked widespread violence across Balochistan, Sindh, and parts of Karachi, where two million Balochs reside. In the four days following his killing, 93 government buildings, 87 businesses, 31 homes, and numerous vehicles were set on fire, many belonging to Punjabis, Pakistan’s dominant ethnic group.
The violence has caused fear among Punjabi civil servants, leading to a reluctance to serve in Balochistan and the cancellation of postings for 18 police commanders. Bugti’s killing has also raised concerns about the radicalization of Baloch youth, who have begun targeting federal symbols. In Quetta, they destroyed the portrait of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while in Karachi, they tore down and burned the Pakistani flag. The Baloch hearts were still ablaze.
Kill and Dump Policy (2009 – present)
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and other human rights advocates have accused Pakistan of reviving its “kill and dump” policy, which can be traced back to April 3, 2009, when three prominent Baloch leaders, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch (Chairman of the Baloch National Movement), Sher Mohammad Baloch (Vice President of the Baloch Republican Party (BRP)), and Lala Munir Baloch (General Secretary of the Baloch National Front), were abducted and their bodies found a week later in the Murgaap river near Turbat.
A significant escalation in recent months, including the abductions and extrajudicial killings of Baloch youth like Tariq Baloch, son of Ibraheem Kalamati, a renowned Pakistani race car driver and Sameer Ahmed Sabzal, whose bullet ridden body was found on May 9, 2025. This policy, characterized by enforced disappearances, torture, and the dumping of mutilated bodies, is described as a genocidal mechanism aimed at silencing Baloch political resistance and dissent.
Gwadar – CPEC’s Misused Crown Jewel
Since the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2015, Gwadar, a small coastal town in Balochistan, has become a key strategic hub for Chinese investments, including a major port, power plant, and airport. However, despite billions in funding, locals still lack basic services like clean water and electricity. The development has disrupted traditional livelihoods, especially for fishermen, who have lost access to the sea due to heightened security and deep-sea trawling by Chinese vessels.
This has sparked widespread protests in Gwadar, where residents are demanding access to essential services, fishing rights, and an end to illegal trawling. The demonstrations, led by religious scholar Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, have led to highway closures and the deployment of thousands of security forces. The protests have drawn attention from both Pakistan and China, with the latter dismissing reports of anti-China sentiment as “fake news.”
Baloch separatists, who see CPEC as a threat to their identity and autonomy, have carried out attacks on Chinese and Pakistani targets, including a luxury hotel in Gwadar in 2019. These incidents have led to increased security in the region, further alienating the local population. Chinese authorities are concerned about the stability of Gwadar, crucial to the Belt and Road Initiative, and have urged Pakistan to ensure a secure environment for CPEC projects.
With unrest growing and local grievances unresolved, the future of CPEC in Gwadar remains uncertain. Addressing the needs of the local population is essential not only for social stability but also for the long-term success of China’s investments in the region.
Conclusion
It can be easily concluded that the fight for Balochistan’s freedom is still on. The martyrdom is still incessant and every Baloch can look up to this day, the day of Lal Shaheed to find meaning in their fight for sovereignty, despite the illegitimate ways Pakistan, CPEC and other stakeholders might have pressurised them. In May 2025, Mir Yar Baloch, a Baloch writer and activist, declared the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan, proclaiming the establishment of the “Democratic Republic of Balochistan”. This is what all the martyrs might have wanted, had laid their lives for.
