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.
MR. AKBAR BUGTI WAS A GREAT LEADER, HE FOUGHT FOR HIS PEOPLE WRITES, HE IS NOT DEAD, HE IS ALWAYS ALIVE IN THE HEARTS OF BALOCHI PEOPLE. MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN ITERNAL PEACE
ALL COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD HAVE MILITARY
BUT OUR MILITARY HAVE A COUNTRY
WHAT A SHAME
From Daily Times,
[quote post=”69″]General Baloch argued that leaving aside the area under the influence of rebel Sardars â€
Bugti killed balochis,,, Mushi killed Bugti…
Actually some reports suggest that the cave in which Bugti was hiding had land mines trap set by Bugti in order not to be caught alive….
I fully support Balochi Poppulations of more control in their in own province… If only there was devalution of powers to locals instead of centre controlling everything then even tragedy of 1971 could have been avoided….
I think every Pakistani who tries to defend the army must read the Chapter 2 of Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report. Please don’t try to compare the atrocities with those of Bugti’s .Just think of the same things happening to your fellow balochie brothers, Who will you stand for?
Mr. Umer,
Not to be drawn in this battle of character assassination, nobody is idolizing Bugti. But the manner in which he was dealt with, the government has made him a martyr to Baloch like many others before him as was the case in East Pakistan. The government is engaged in extrajudicial killings. As per BBC
[quote post=”69″]The human rights group Amnesty International says Pakistan’s security agencies, particularly the powerful ISI, often picked up suspects with little or no evidence, and sold them to the Americans for bounty. [/quote]
Dictators and rulers kill their opposition which is not acceptable but nevertheless happens around the world. However, to sell out one’s citizens for bounty, I don’t think any dictator has stooped so low.