ISLAMABAD: Baloch anti-state elements are trying to exploit some historical events for their evil designs and distorting the real history of Baloch. Baloch anti-state agents commemorate November 13 as the “Remembrance Day or Baloch Martyrs Day” in the memory of Mir Mehrab Khan, Khan of Kalat, who was killed by British Forces in 1841. Banned militant groups BLF and BLA commemorate the day to glorify their activists killed confronting security forces at different times. It is very unfortunate that anti-state elements are using historical event to distort the actual Baloch history and align their terrorist activities with the reign and struggle of bold historical figures to resurrect themselves as heroes.
November 13 is significant in Baloch history as the ruler of Kalat Mir Mehrab Khan was killed by British forces in 1841 due to conspiracy and deception of his own deputy Malik Hassan Daud. According to the books of history, Mir Mehrab Khan was a hero, who brought all the Baloch tribes under single confederating unit of Kalat giving them strength. His legacy is kept alive by the brave Baloch serving in various organs of state of Pakistan. Brave Baloch serving in multiple fields of Pakistan’s Army, Navy, Airforce, Civil Services, Police Services, Politics and Social work have laid their lives for Pakistan carrying the legacy of great Mir Mehrab Khan, who shed his blood for his land.
Contribution and Sacrifices of Brave Baloch
Many brave Baloch served in Pakistan’s Armed Forces and defended the country’s border from external and internal enemies. Major Jalal Ud Din Tareen Shaheed was from Qilla Abdullah, Balochistan. He was martyred in an operation against terrorists in North Waziristan in 2014. Lt Col (retd) Shafqat Baloch, then a major, was the first Pakistani officer to face the Brunt of Indian attack on Lahore in 1965. He was commanding delta company of 17 Punjab, his troops halted one division of Indian Army in its tracks on the first day of the war.
Lt. Saif Ullah shaheed, pride of 117 L/C ex 16 BR from Noshki Balochistan, embraced martyrdom on 17 May 2009 in North Waziristan. Lieutenant Jahangir Marri Shaheed, a brave soldier from Kohlu who embraced Shahadat while fighting against enemies of the country on July 10, 2009, in Chinnar area of Bajaur.
Major Jamal Sheeran of FC North was martyred during Zarb-e-Azb operation while fighting bravely against extremists in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Major Jamal Sheeran Shaheed belonged to Ketch area of Balochistan.
Baloch History and Legacy of Mir Mehrab Khan
Similarly, many Baloch political figure served the people and the country in political front and even rendered sacrifices for the progress and development of Pakistan. Nawab Siraj Raisani embraced martyrdom on July 13, 2018 in a terrorist attack which killed 128 other people. A brave Baloch lion who said ‘I am Siraj Khan Raisani Baloch & I will die a Pakistani’.
The people of Balochistan also did a lot to serve the society and country as Justice Noor Muhammad Meskanzai, former Justice Balochistan High Court and Chief Justice Federal Shariah Court embraced Martyrdom on 14 October 2022. He was targeted by banned BLA terrorists. Every one lauded the social worker Baz Mohammad as he was a model for social workers in the province of Balochistan. He was former in charge of local Edhi Centre, and was shot dead with a friend in Mahajir Adda, Loralai.
Banned BLF is targeting China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development while local Baloch heroes are laying their lives for the progress of their land. Proscribed BLA is glorifying their militancy and terrorism against Baloch locals; ruthlessly killing them and destroying infrastructure developed from their tax money.
