RAW's Baluchistan Project

By Shahzad Masood Rooomi

Pakistani intelligence operatives, on Thursday, arrested Kal Boshan Yadav a serving Indian Navy commander level officer from Baluchistan near Pak-Afghan border. He was given a fake identity of Hussain Mubarik Patel in Pakistan by Indian foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

The arrest of a serving Indian military officer is first incident of its kind in modern spy warfare history. Prior to this arrest, Pakistani authorities had apprehended many foot soldiers of BLA/BRA and other Indian backed Baluch separatist group. Last year, Pakistan handed over various dossiers about Indian involvement in Baluchistan to the UN and US. These dossiers were based on classified information. But this diplomacy could not create any tangible impact and fizzled out completely after Pathakot Airbase incident. 

India has become strategic partner of the US in 21st century geopolitics where Delhi and Washington both have alignment of their strategic interests in the region. India is going to play a counter-weight for China in Indian Ocean and South China Sea and this is an integral part of Obama's 'Pivot to Asia' strategy. But Indians have their own plans as well. For India, it is Pakistan, not China, which is primary threat though China is ultimate hurdle in Indian grand strategic plans of becoming a global player. As long as Pakistan keeps Indian attempts to become a regional hegemonic power in check, US strategy and Indian grand strategic plans both will remain achievable.

According to initial investigation, the RAW officer belongs to Mumbai and is resident of  Hiranandani Garden, Powai area of Indian business capital. He was issued the visa of Iran. His presence in Pakistan was illegal.

As per initial unconfirmed reports, Yadev was the member of Indian Consulate in Iran (originally a member of Indian Navy currently on deputation to RAW), Had Diplomatic Immunity In Iran & in Afganistan, also was a regular guest at NDS HQ in Kabul ( we Have Photographic evidence of that) , He was a prominent member of RAW in Baluchistan, Death of Meerak ( 2IC of BLA) aka Aslam aka Achoo brought him back to Pakistan, after complete destruction of BLA his task was to revive them again, but he got caught by the Counter Intel this ( his movements were being tracked for months) .

Usually, Indian RAW (or any intel agency) does not allow Indian armed officers in RAW to carry out missions like sabotag, sectarian killings and terrorism inside Pakistan without the cover of diplomatic immunity but it is evident now that after killings of BLA's top commanders in various raids by Pakistani security forces during the last few weeks, he was sent to Pakistan under the guise of some local to re-establish the command and control of BLA and other Indian backed terrorist groups. Indians played cleaver by using someone from its Iranian consulate as no one in the entire Indian diplomatic mission in Pakistan is authorised to travel to Baluchistan without permission. So, selection of an Indian officer from its Iranian consulate makes complete sense. Pakistan Army's Southern Command has almost destroyed massive Indian investment in Baluchistan by isolating these separatist elements. During the last one year, many Baluch separatists have surrendered to Pakistani authorities.

Indian interest in Baluchistan for its possible secession from rest of Pakistan, like the secession of East Pakistan,  stems from geographical location of the province which made Pakistan strategically important in regional geopolitics.

Gawadar port, CPEC and Ghaghi nuclear test site are among the most sensitive places in the province with due to their strategic importance. Indians were very nervous when Pakistan and China announced the CPEC. India launched a three prong strategy against the project.

1. Using diplomacy of Kashmir being disputed territory.

2. Using Baluch separatists and terrorists like BLA for sabotag and killings of  

3.Using Iran against CPEC by investing in and developing Chahbahar seaport. 

India tried to use its diplomatic prowess by raising objection on the project by declaring Gilgit-Baltistan as disputed territory. But despite these Indian efforts, work on CPEC corridor remain unhindered. Pakistan was well aware that Indians will leave no stone unturned in order to impede the progress on the economic corridor and Baluchistan was most suitable territory for them to use proxies like BLA to sabotage the project. It's worth mentioning here that, in the past too, many Chinese engineering workers involved in the development work of Gawadar seaport have been killed by the same Baluch terrorists groups during last many years. So, as soon as, Indian intentions about CPEC became clear, Pakistan Army initiated its own counter-strategy which was mainly focused on the elimination of sense of deprivation and isolation among common Baluchi populace. But it also has its kinetic component and the establishment of Special Security Division (SSD) by Pakistan Army was manifestation of this component.  In February, Security and Threat Matrix analyzed the threats to the CPEC and following analysis was made.

"Since its very inception, CPEC has been a nightmare for India and to a great extent to the US as well. Massive funds have already been allocated by the Indian RAW to turn CPEC into another Kalabagh Dam. According to media reports, some 300 million US dollars have been allocated by the Indian RAW to sabotage the project.

Obvious strategy of the Indian RAW would be to use Baluch insurgents, TTP terrorists and sub nationalist elements within Pakistan’s political circles in order to create confusion among Pakistani provinces on this project.

On the other hand, the US is not happy with such developments in the region. It will create challenges for India who the US eyes as vital partner in long term strategy to counter-weight China. Indian maritime power is considered critical by Washington in order to lock the Chinese dragon in South China Sea. Already, Indian diplomacy has played its role in denting China’s strategy of building multiple dual-purpose sea ports in the region. Bangladesh has walked out of an earlier understanding with China to build such a port in Chittagong.

Pakistan Army was able to turned the tables in Baluchistan and civilian government of Baluchistan also played an important role in it. Instead of relying only on one organ, Pakistan deployed a well contemplated plan to counter possible Indian moves which were well anticipated. The arrest of Kul Boshan Yadev is another proof of it.

But Pakistan's job is far from done if it really wants to keep RAW's Baluchistan Project in check. It is time for Pakistani state and government takes this matter to international forums like UN Security Council. To start with, Pakistan must engage Beijing on this matter as Pakistan is not the only state whose strategic interests India wants to damage. By sabotaging CPEC, India is trying to hurt China's strategic economic interests as well. PML(N) government has been caught in a lot bigger challenge of credibility than posed by all the mega-scandals corruption unfolding in Pakistani media. Afghanistan and Iranian governments must also be approached with all the proofs of Indian involvement in Pakistan through their soils as has been unearthed in this latest case.

RAW's Baluchistan Project can only be eliminated through a relentless diplomacy which can only be done by civilian ruling elite of the country. Security forces can only fight in battlefield, diplomatic fights of safeguarding Pakistan's strategic security interests are responsibility of Pakistan's prime minister and his team. Clock is ticking and the nation is waiting! Islamabad has a very narrow window to act before this matter vanishes in ever flowing stream of news around the world.

As far as India is concerned, the very existence of Kal Boshan Yadev will be made questionable by omitting some aspect of his official service record to play innocence and according to latest reports Indian Govt (External Affairs) admitted that the person arrested in Pakistan is Indian Naval Officer but rejected the link allegation.Indian Govt (External Affairs) admitted that the person arrested in Pakistan is Indian Naval Officer but rejected the link allegation.

"The person arrested has no link with government since his premature retirement from Indian Navy, the ministry of external affairs said on the purported arrest." read the statement issued by Indian government. Clearly, RAW has disowned his captured agent.

But this must be not a surprise because no country in the world owns their captured spies. Pakistan on the other hand has a smoking gun in his hand pointing towards India as the main perpetrator of terrorism and sectarian violence in Pakistan. How effectively Pakistan can use this proof to expose Indian true face and intentions, it is yet to be seen.