Adil Najam
Government sources in Pakistan have just announced that Nawab Akbar Bugti, chief of the Bugti tribe, veteran politician, and senior Baluchistan leader, has been killed in a shootout between “tribal militants and government forces” in Balochistan.
This is very sad and disturbing news that cannot bode well for anyone. While details are still coming in, BBC reports:
The battle near his mountain hideout in south-west Pakistan also caused heavy casualties on both sides, reports say. More than 20 soldiers and at least 30 rebels died, officials say. The octogenarian has been at the head of a tribal campaign to win political autonomy and a greater share of revenue from Balochistan’s gas reserves. “It is confirmed, Nawab Bugti has been killed in an operation,” Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani told Reuters news agency. The battle reportedly took place near the town of Dera Bugti, not far from Mr Bugti’s hideout.
According to a newsflash posted on The News website:
Jamhori Watan Party (JWP) chief Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed in a historical operation carried out by security forces in Kohlu and Murree tribal areas on Saturday night, Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani confirmed… Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP-P) leader Makhdoom Amin Faheem termed Akbar Bugti’s death an incident which could worsen security situation in Pakistan.
The death, and the manner of death, of the veteran Baluch leader will indeed worsen the security situation in Baluchistan and exacerbate the feeling of marginalization amongst Baluchis. Nawab Bugti had, at various points in his life, ‘butted heads’ with just about all major leaders in Pakistan. His recent standoff with the Musharraf government was not the highpoint of his own political career but it may well be the lowest point of the Musharraf rule. However, more than the implications on immediate politics – which will become more clear and more pronounced over the next many days – this marks a tragic end to the life of an important political leader.
Born on July 12, 1927, Nawab Bugto was a ‘ tribal’ who was educated at Oxford, England, Aitchison College, Lahore and Karachi Grammar School and has served as Governor and Chief Minister of Baluchistan. Mr. Bugti’s legacy was clearly a mixed one and will be much debated and much dissected. He was, however, a major leader and this was indeed a sad and tragic way to go.
Ms.Jyoti:
We people also dont know much about dawood ebrahim or molana masood azhar,still they are associated with us all the time.
In short,i wnated to say that neither India nor Pakistan is run by bunch of saints.Govts iin both countries keep interfering in each other business.You cant delcare RAW naive when there documentary evidence were found and handled to Indian govt that most of *panga* was being controlled by *an embassy* in afghanistan.What I would second ,that musharraf’s a week old statment that forces of both countries should stop using agencies against each other.
@Jacob:Another Bangladesh could be created if such actions are not taken place.
BTW,did anyone read this .Do look the map.
Jacob, as far as creation of Bangladesh is concerned, people in general accept that it was a fault of our own making. The debate within pakistan then goes back and forth between the blame shifting between politicians and the army.
That our neighbouring country played a critical role cannot be underestimated.
In a uni-polar world, vested interests by our neighbours would not achieve the objective of fermenting trouble in Baluchistan to the extent that nationalist aspirations can be realized.
I disagree with the method and manner in which Mr. Bugti was handled but agree that writ of the state has to be established. It would have been an ideal scenario if the political agreement reach with Mr. Bugti had seen the light of day since there was concurrence on 90% of the issues. That the agreement could not be materialized is the failure of the ruling party since it played a role in serving as a go-between.
In my personal opinion, Mr. Bugti’s fate was sealed when Musharaf’s helicopter was targetted a few months ago. If the tribal chiefs thought that they were sending a message to the President, they were right. Message was received loud and clear and appropriate action taken
It’s sad. This was a political assasination. I fear this coudl cause the creation of another Bangladesh, This is the lowest point of Mush’s low career. I’m interested to know his “freedom fighter – terrorist” speech again. How is the Nawab different from Kashmir.
@Jyoti – What is happening in Baloch has a direct impact on India. By his actions yesterday Mush has dented all credibility (if any) to the “Kashmir cause”.
Adnan ji, Ahmed Rashid calls bugti a “Martyr” in bbc news…
@Adnan ji.
“Rebel killing raises stakes in Pakistan ” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5290966.stm
Reuters’ news in cNN, calls bugti a “veteran leader”
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/28/pakist an.riots.reut/index.html
Adnan ji, we in india don’t really know much about late Mr. bugti. The indian media is repeating only what we get from foreign news agencies like Ap and Reuters. in fact, even though i have been following this blog closely about this whole issue, i’m unable to make my mind about whethere Mr. bugti was a good guy or a bad one. All i know is , that me and my other firends, who are quite interested in world news, are worried that this incident should NOT escalet in a home war for pakistan. whether you belive it or not, we don’t want any unstability in pakistan as it happens to be a neighboring country and any harm to its stability will definitely have impacts on our nation. As far as governments are concerned, they do interfere with other country’s affairs by secret actions. whetehr india or pakistan. but that is politics, happens at the micro level of politics as well.. how can commonors do anything about it..