Theory and Practice of Insurgency and Counterinsurgency: The Case Study of Balochistan

Abstract

Insurgency is a violent political struggle borne out of grievances in a local community. The phenomenon of insurgency is old and the ways of tackling insurgencies have always been studied with interest. Pakistan has faced sporadic insurgencies in its Balochistan province. This study applies conceptual framework propounded by Scott Moore to Balochistan insurgency and analyzes the complex combination of Actions triggered by varied Beliefs and Structures of the Baloch society. In order to employ effective countermeasures to insurgency, an integrated approach needs to be worked out that seeks to create positive changes in the intertwined dimensions of Actions, Beliefs and Structures. The study finds that such an approach to handle insurgency in Balochistan has generally been successful. And the Baloch society has largely been mainstreamed in the national society and the state of Pakistan.