The COAS's Doctrine: "3D Balochistan Strategy" evolving?

 


Gen Sarfaraz Ali, Commander Southern Command 

What is the COAS's "3D Balochistan Strategy" for and how its is evolving? 


The Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa's "Balochistan 3Ds Doctrine '' is like this: Detternace, Development and Dialogue which has informed the strategy on Balochistan till recently.




Jan Achakzai 


The Commander Southern Command, Let Gen Sarfaraz Ali, has for the first time started to amend the kinetic to non- kinetic approach towards law and order in Balochistan. He being an experienced hand on Balochistan–served as IG FC South and MI Chief,  besides at Command Staff College Quetta and now as Commander, Southern Command–knows when to change the gear. 


He has started to work on the non-kinetic aspect of counter insurgency, ie, development and provision of jobs in violence infested districts in Balochistan in order to stem the tide of recruitment for extremists. 


Gen Sarfarz Ali is also seeking to reconnect with people to win hearts and minds, and to boost the morale and capacity of civilian law and enforcement agencies including the  police and the levies. 


However, a grand  non-kinetic conflict resolution strategy has to be in place to supplement his efforts as suggested here by INH


As the Army has strengthend the borders security of Balochistan–ie fenced border with Afghanistan and started to put fence along Iran-Balochistan border–the immediate  challenge is the prospect of terrorism spill over from Afghanistan in a  post US withdrawal scenario. Terrorism both Baloch sub Nationalists and the proxy TTP can grow before it ebs towards the beginning of 2021 but of course its a very optimistic senario. 


In the meantime, the policy makers need to integrate the downgraded elements into the mainstream using a "top down" approach.


The Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa's "Balochistan 3Ds Doctrine '' is like this: Deterrence, Development and Dialogue, which has informed the strategy on Balochistan till recently. Now is the time to re-align the three Ds by restating the order: Deterrence, Dialogue and Development, instead of Dialogue as a last priority. 

It is a welcome omen that Gen Sarfaraz Ali is improvising strategy as and when the ground reality evolves but it has to go far. 

 

Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa

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