1970s operation in Balochistan

rdf:langString 1970s operation in Balochistan

rdf:langString Baloch insurgency

rdf:langString Pakistan Army Attack Helicopters HueyCobra AH-1S Cobras at AVN Base, Multan.

rdf:langString ~16,000 civilians killed

rdf:langString ~3,000 killed

rdf:langString ~5,300 killed

rdf:langString Iran

rdf:langString Iraq

rdf:langString Supported by:

rdf:langString Baloch separatists

rdf:langString Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

rdf:langString Rahimuddin Khan

rdf:langString Akbar Bugti

rdf:langString Armed by:

rdf:langString Ataullah Mengal

rdf:langString Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo

rdf:langString Khair Bakhsh Marri

rdf:langString Mohammed Reza Pahlavi

rdf:langString Patrick Simpson

rdf:langString Post-combat:

rdf:langString Sher Mohammad Marri

rdf:langString Tikka Khan

rdf:langString Baloch insurgency

rdf:langString February 1973 – December 1978

rdf:langString the Balochistan conflict and the Cold War

rdf:langString Pakistani victory * Insurgency halted * Restoration of status quo ante bellum

rdf:langString Unknown

rdf:langString The 1970s operation in Balochistan was a five-year military conflict in Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan, between the Pakistan Army and Baloch separatists and tribesmen that lasted from 1973 to 1978. The operation began in 1973 shortly after then-Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto dismissed the elected provincial government of Balochistan on the pretext that arms had been discovered in the Iraqi Embassy, ostensibly for Baloch rebels. The ensuing protest against the dismissal of the duly elected government also led to calls for Balochistan's secession, met by Bhutto's ordering the Pakistan Army into the province. Akbar Khan Bugti served as provincial governor during the early stages of the conflict. The operation itself was led by General Tikka Khan against an unknown number of militants coordinated by their Baloch sardars, or tribal chiefs, most notably Khair Bakhsh Marri and Ataullah Mengal. Iran provided military support to the operation. Fighting was intermittent throughout the conflict, climaxing in 1974 with drawn-out battles. The Bhutto regime was overthrown by General Zia-ul-Haq on 5 July 1977, and martial law was imposed. A general amnesty was declared by military governor Rahimuddin Khan. Army action ended by 1978, replaced by development and educational policies to conciliate the province. The conflict took the lives of ~3,300 Pakistani troops, ~5,300 militants, and thousands of civilians. Most civilian casualties were inflicted by militants targeting local Baloch populations whom the militants believed were loyal to the government.